The owners of Villa Bologna, one of the oldest and most charming buildings in Attard, have expressed shock and amazement that part of the property's gardens have been included in recently revised building development plans.

Architect Carmel Caccopardo, speaking on behalf of the de Trafford family, which owns the villa, said that according to the local plans, part of the gardens at the back of the villa can be given up for the development of  two storey buildings.

He said this had not featured in the original draft of the local plans and the amendment had not been subject to public consultation.

Former Attard Mayor and historian Prof Henry Frendo and representatives of various environment NGOs and Alternattiva Demokratika also expressed dismay at the Mepa decision.

Villa Bologna, located just behind San Anton Palace, used to be the residence of Prime Minister Gerald Strickland, who died there in 1940.

Mepa in a press conference this afternoon said the whole villa had actually been included in the original draft of the development plans but it was then taken out, other than for part of its gardens at its back, Mepa chairman Andrew Calleja said.

He added that Mepa's technical officials felt that this part of the garden did not merit protection but indicated that the authority could reconsider its position following the de Trafford request for the whole villa to be protected from development.