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Dear Supporters ,
NEW WEBSITE / MEMBERSHIP:
Some of you may have noticed that our website is not being updated regularly. This is because we are currently working hard to build a new website that will be more attractive and offer new features.Along with our new website, we will be launching a membership enrolment scheme. Up till now, supporters have simply registered on our website, but after three years, we feel it is time to upgrade our services and a nominal membership fee will allow us to employ a part-timer to give more support to members.
To mark these two milestones we are holding a launch reception at Birgu Couvre Porte terrace (just within Birgu Gate) which will also include the presentation of funds collected at the Three Cities - Eve of a Renaissance art exhibition. This will be on Thursday 16th July at 7pm and all are invited (please confirm attendance here).
TRAINING COURSE:
Starting next Thursday 9th July, we shall be holding a short evening course on planning regulations. Sessions will be held at our new office in Gzira, and we urge all those wishing to learn more about MEPA regulations or interested in protecting their area to enrol here immediately as numbers are limited.
BAHRIJA:
The campaign led by Ramblers' Association, supported by FAA and NatureTrust, bore fruit. The well-attended march down Bahrija Valley received extensive media coverage, showing the abusive excavations for a two-storey house in this beautiful, untouched Natura 2000 site, feet away from the last colony of fresh-water crabs (qobru).
Following our march, MEPA heeded our call for an investigation and suspended works on site pending the outcome of the MEPA Auditor's report (read more).
QORMI ARMOURY:
We recently highlighted the Qormi Armoury case, where the original scheduled knights' period building has been impacted by massive development right against its back wall. Contrary to the Cultural Heritage Superintendent's recommendation, a beautiful old wall and rooms which had formed part of the Armoury have been demolished, following the granting of a permit to build more flats, in what should have been a protected area. All that is left of this structure is a single hall that was spared from destruction against a bank guarantee of just €1,820!
This building was previously within the Qormi Urban Conservation Area, but after the revision of Local Plans, this oldest and most significant block was removed from the protective zoning around it. Due to this and the demolition of architectural features that are normally protected, we are again asking for an enquiry (read more).
VALLETTA REGENERATION PLANS:
FAA considers it positive that Valletta's needs are being placed at the forefront of government action and indeed some elements of Mr. Piano's plans are positive and interesting. FAA is studying the plans and consulting professionals in the field to be in a position to submit detailed comments. Architect Renzo Piano has been working on this project for more than three years so it is felt that this merits more than a superficial comment. Moreover, FAA feels that a project as important as re-modelling the entrance to Valletta needs to be open to full public consultation, especially since it has not been properly discussed after the last project was dropped two decades ago.
In June we also met the French Ambassador, HE Daniel Rondeau, regarding heritage protection and the heritage website we are working on, but more about that later.
We look forward to seeing you on Thursday 16th July.
Regards,
The Committee
Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar
5th July 2009
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