The government has presented a motion in Parliament to transfer the building which used to house the Medical School in Guardamangia to St Augustine College, thus ending a long-running controversy over the expansion of the college.

The resolution was presented by Land Minister Jason Azzopardi.

The College had appealed a Mepa decision which stopped it from expending into a disused garden adjoining the college. The appeal is still pending.

The possible use of the old Medical School building had been suggested at a meeting between the school authorities and the prime minister. 

The school needs to expand in order to accommodate 400 students in its new primary school. They are currently attending classes at the Archbishop's seminary in Rabat. 

The government is proposing to tratransfer the property on a 99-year emphyteusis for an annual groundrent of €1,000. The property covers 2,177 square metres. The car park may also be used. 

In a statement, Dr Azzopardi said this decision was in line with the government's belief that parents should have real choices in the education of their children. 

The Augustinian community is committing itself to investing at least €1 million in the property. 

As part of the deal, the Augustinian community will hand the government the disused garden where they had wanted to build the extension. The transfer will be made on a 99-year emphyteusis for €900 per year. The government would then sub-lease the property back to the Augustinians on condition that it would not be developed.

 

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