This comment was made in a statement issued yesterday in reference to the engagement of Richard England’s services in connection with the Opera House site project. The KTP said this had nothing to do with its regulations and every client is free to hire an architect of his choice.

In spite of this, the KTP still believes the architect should have been selected through a competition rather than be directly commissioned, especially in this case, due to the sensitivity of the site in question.

The numerous international entries and the high quality of the projects submitted in the competition for Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Heritage Park further highlight the chamber’s opinion on the matter.