The Nationalist Party will withdraw its motion calling for land near the Neolithic Ta’ Ħaġrat Temples in Mgarr to be expropriated once this land is actually expropriated, PN deputy leader Mario de Marco said.

Addressing a news conference this afternoon, he also called for a wide-ranging discussion on how to safeguard Malta’s world heritage temples for the government not to have to expropriate land earmarked for development. Voluntary organisations, the planning authority and heritage committees should be involved in the discussion.

Dr de Marco welcomed Cabinet’s decision to take over the land covered by a permit to build a two-storey villa just metres away from the Mgarr temples.

An Opposition motion calling for the expropriation of land had been filed by MP and Mepa board member Ryan Callus and seconded by Dr de Marco.

The motion, he said, would be withdrawn when the land was actually expropriated and Mr Callus, who was also present for the press conference, suggested rehabilitating the area and turning it into an open space.

The permit was harshly criticised by voluntary and heritage associations. Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar had started an online petition, which collected around 2,300 signatures and Labour deputy leader Toni Abela had described the decision as “murder” of Malta’s cultural heritage.

Dr de Marco referred to a proposal in the ongoing planning authority reform suggesting the removal of a clause known as Schedule 6, which did not allow the sanctioning of illegal buildings in outside development zones or protected areas.

“This proposal is a step backwards as knowing you can’t sanction is a deterrent in itself,” he said.