The recent decision to give the green light for the demolition of three old buildings in Naxxar was symptomatic of the manner in which the planning authority was failing to safeguard Malta’s heritage, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar said yesterday.

The FAA asked whether the Government’s commitment to preserve Malta’s architectural heritage was only skin deep and if it was being dictated by developers’ interests.

It added that Mepa was fiddling, while all over the islands Malta’s heritage was burning.

In a statement, the environmental NGO extended its support to Din l-Art Ħelwa, which recently criticised Mepa for ignoring the case officer’s refusal and granted permission for development next to the Naxxar parish church.

It said that once again the Mepa board had chosen to ignore the Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee, which had vehemently objected to this development.

The FAA said the development had followed an established pattern through which old buildings were purposely being left neglected, to make it easier to demolish once they were beyond repair.

It accused Mepa of not safeguarding architectural and historic gems which are increasingly being targeted by those developers keen to build their large gardens.

Monuments such as Villa Guardamangia, the only home of a British monarch outside the UK, were being allowed to fall to pieces in spite of their historic, architectural and touristic potential, it said.