A call for expressions of interest to restore and manage four government properties that have been abandoned for years attracted more than 100 requests.

A total of 114 submissions were made by the closing date, last Thursday, the Government said yesterday.

The call was made earlier this month and the areas indicated were the site known as Tal-Busbesija, which served as anti-aircraft battery to protect Ta’ Qali airfield in World War II, the Marfa Palace in Marfa, Strickland House, on the outskirts of Mġarr, which is also known as Charlie’s Castle, and the Isolation Hospital in Mtarfa.

The call underscored that the winning bids had to be environmentally friendly and socially and economically viable.

When launching the project, Planning Parliamentary Secretary Michael Farrugia said the properties would be leased for a period of between 45 and 99 years.

The winning bids had to be environmentally friendly and socially and economically viable

He argued that a short lease would not make sense considering the financial outlay involved to restore the properties that had been neglected for years.

Dr Farrugia said the properties in question were identified as part of a stock-taking exercise of government properties.

Another call for expressions of interest for four or five other properties was in the pipeline.

The Government said yesterday the “substantial number” of submissions made indicated that there was the will to use the sites to generate more investment.

Those interested had to submit a detailed plan to the authorities explaining how these would be economically viable while guaranteeing that the sites would remain accessible to the public.

The final submissions have to be made to the Land Department by December 12 at noon.