A family which owned properties on the site presently occupied by the new Parliament building and which were demolished in the 1950s to make way for Freedom Square have been awarded almost €47,000 in compensation.

The Land Arbitration Board, presided by Magistrate Giovanni Grixti, ordered the Commissioner of Lands to pay the compensation in a case that took several years to conclude, especially because of disagreement over the amount due. 

The board heard that the Demarco family owned 16 rooms which formed part of the premises in Valletta. This property was demolished in the 1950s and formed part of the open square upon entrance to the city. 

This property was taken over by the government which was paying the owners almost €200 a year in rent, based on the 1939 rental values. 

In 1998, the Land Department started expropriation proceedings to acquire the property but offered the owners just over €3,600, basing its offer on the market value of the property. 

But the owners took the matter to court, requesting a proper valuation. The court appointed independent architects to value the property as it was in 1998 and they told the court it was valued at €46,587.47.

Magistrate Grixti ruled that this was the correct valuation, as established by architects, and ordered the Commissioner of Lands to pay the sum, together with interest. 

Lawyer Peter Borg Costanzi appeared for the family.