The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage has brushed off questions by this newspaper regarding the protection of cultural heritage at Bulebel, where an extension of the industrial estate is expected to take place.

 The role of the government entity involves advising and coordinating with the Planning Authority in protecting cultural heritage in land use and development. Additionally by law, it was established and given the mission to ensure the protection and accessibility of cultural heritage.

Both the Chief executive of Malta Industrial Parks (MIP), Karl Azzopardi and Economy Minister Chris Cardona have recently confirmed that an area of agricultural land measuring 120,000 square metres is being earmarked for possible industrial development.

Zejtun Mayor Maria Dolores Abela, however, has told this newspaper that MIP had assured the council that only 48,000 square metres are being considered.

The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, when asked for its position on the possibility of industrial development on agricultural land in Bulebel asked The Malta Independent to “direct such questions to the ministry.”

The president of Għaqda Wirt iż-Żejtun, architect Reuben Abela, had explained the extent of the historical and cultural heritage found on the site.  Abela had mentioned of the discovery of pottery from and sea snails, which were used to produce rare purple cloth dye in Punic times.

The group had also found armour from the Grand Master Perellos’ time, the 1600s, in a farmhouse in the area. Furthermore back in 2011-2012, the development of a factory in the area had been stopped due to the discovery of Punic tombs.

The mission statement of the Superintendence, according to its own website, is to “fulfil the duties of the State in ensuring the protection and accessibility of Malta’s cultural heritage.”

“The role of the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage includes advising and coordinating with the Malta Environment & Planning Authority, on issues regarding land use and development, to safeguard cultural heritage when considering applications for planning permission relating to development effecting objects, sites buildings or landscapes, which form part of the cultural heritage.”

At the end of last year, farmers who work the land at Bulebel received legal eviction letters from the government, giving them a month's notice to vacate the land. The land which belongs to the government had been loaned to farmers since the 1960s, rent free.

According to the 2006 Local Plan for the South of Malta, various studies would have to be carried before any development takes place because the area was deemed as being of high agricultural value.

The Zejtun Mayor said the council has been assured by MIP that such assessments would take place.