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Dear Friends,
Unfortunately more major projects and issues seem to rear their heads in the hot summer weeks, keeping us busy trying to protect our heritage and our islands. In addition to keeping our eyes open for any illegal developments, we have attended meetings and presented submissions and objections. Amongst these, we have studied the Environment Impact Assessments (EIAs) of both the Hondoq ir-Rummien and the Ta’ Cenc projects, as well as the new Ghajn Tuffieha structure to replace the old Riviera Martinique hotel.
Committee members also attended a meeting with one of the architects entrusted with the plans for the Dock 1 project at Cospicua (is that right Miriam, or should we say Senglea to Cospicua) and subsequently submitted their comments to MEPA as per the attached Press Release.
A more recent issue welcomed heartily by FAA is the news that after years of abandonment, the old verandah at Pieta is to be restored and used as a restaurant. We hope to see many more similar projects in due course.
We are happy to announce that FAA is now working on a new project – the FAA Heritage website which has been set up as a service to Maltese heritage. By promoting initiatives which restore old properties and put them to good use we hope raise awareness of Maltese heritage architecture while proving that old buildings need not be demolished in order to make money. We are in the process of constructing the site, which so far will include hotels, restaurants and art galleries housed in heritage buildings, as well stately homes open to the public.
The site will also feature articles on Maltese historical attractions, arts, crafts and cuisine along with restaurants serving traditional Maltese cuisine; these will not only be of interest to students but also help draw tourists to the site and give extra exposure to the heritage enterprises which need all possible support. This obviously requires an enormous amount of work, for which we badly need volunteers who are computer literate and could help with some research etc. We would also enjoy receiving your suggestions – and even sponsorship – for this website which you can see (still under construction).Do have a look at it and send us your feedback and impressions at:
Regards,
The Committee
Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar
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