Assistance to heritage property owners

In addition to the article carried by The Times (December 20) welcoming the Malta Environment and Planning Authority’s recent scheduling (protection) of heritage sites, heritage NGO Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar would like to make it clear that the use of Villa Bonici as a home for the elderly was designated by Mepa’s North Harbours Local Plan of 2006; no citizens’ group had anything to do with this decision.

We also stress that, regarding the use of the newly scheduled gardens, we are definitely not lobbying for expropriation but requesting the government purchase this land at market prices in the interest of Malta’s residents because this site can be converted into a unique urban park (as opposed to a smaller public garden).

Although most of these properties will remain private, those responsible for the guardianship of our national architectural heritage usually derive no direct benefit.

Surely the nation should help shoulder the burden through grants or VAT exemption on restorations which benefit the locality and preserve the building for posterity. The preservation of heritage benefits the Maltese taxpayer far beyond aesthetic and historic considerations; it should be recalled that our architectural heritage is a great draw for Malta’s tourism, a major employer on the island.

Neglect of our architectural heritage would have a negative impact on Malta’s tourism which injects far more into our economy than grants or tax exemptions would take out.

Mepa has already given subsidies for the restoration of wooden balconies in the hope of encouraging their retention. The government should implement similar benefits for the maintenance of heritage buildings, as had been promised in 2008 and 2009 Budget schemes which never materialised. Government assistance would encourage owners to safeguard these properties.

Heritage protection is a matter of national importance. Not only does it define our identity, it enhances our quality of life by its architectural beauty, as opposed to the ugliness of many buildings that replace old structures. Once lost, heritage can never be replaced.