Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) welcomed the newly launched scheme promoting sustainable urban regeneration.

The scheme encourages investment in restoration, conservation and maintenance of privately-owned Grade 1 and Grade 2 scheduled residential properties or homes located within Urban Conservation Areas (UCAs).

"This is an excellent initiative that Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar has been proposing for many years in order to stop the demolition of village-core dwellings and the building of apartments in their place, as this does not suit the cultural and environmental characteristics of Malta's old towns and villages.

"It is heartening to see that importance is finally being given to our heritage buildings. The present scheme is not intended for properties being restored for resale, but for owners who take pride in their homes and are eligible for assistance in maintaining them.

"Not only will this make the re-use of old buildings more attractive and help in the preservation of our Urban Conservation Areas, but it should also help to create openings for those employed in the depressed construction industry."

FAA called for this initiative to be accompanied by more courses to train workers in restoration skills.

These measures, it said, did not resolve the outstanding issues of pre-1939 rents and past requisitions. "Until this outdated legislation is repealed and justice restored, we shall continue to see many beautiful old properties in lower Valletta under-used and decaying. Still, these latest measures indicate a significant commitment to protect Malta's unique architectural landscape," it said.