Three dilapidated Buskett farmhouses dating back to the 17th century are to be fully restored and reutilised within a year, Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino announced yesterday.

All three – the Razzett tal-Bagħal, the Razzett tal-Bosk, and the Razzett tal-Ispirtu – date back to the reign of Grandmaster Juan de Lascaris-Castellar, who ruled from 1636 to 1657, and are Grade 1 scheduled structures. But years of neglect have left each in a sorry state.

Under a project set to cost just over €500,000, however, all three will be restored to their original appearance, and converted into facilities serving visitors to Buskett.

The Razzett tal-Bagħal is the largest and most accessible one, but it is also in the worst condition; just one facade can be retained, although other existing blocks will be dismantled and reused. The farmhouse, named “mule farm” because it originally served to house farm animals, will be converted into a visitors’ interpretation centre which will provide information about the area’s flora and fauna, its history and other characteristics.

The Razzett tal-Ispirtu is the smallest of the three, located a short distance away from the Razzett tal-Bagħal. Once restored, it should serve to showcase local produce, but also to provide facilities for ecological wardens.

The Razzett tal-Bosk, which is located in the oldest part of the Buskett woodland, had been the site of the grim discovery of the butchered remains of accountant Lino Cauchi in 1985, over three years after his disappearance.

Given its sensitive location, uses that involve constant heavy flows of visitors were not recommended; instead, it will provide a space for specific scientific and educational events.

The contract for the necessary restoration works has been awarded to Vaults Co Ltd, whose €429,165.71 bid was the cheapest of the four submitted. A related tender for mechanical and electrical works was published late last month.

Speaking during a visit to the farmhouses, Mr Pullicino observed that the Buskett area had been neglected over the years, and that this was now starting to be addressed.

He noted that long stretches of rubble retaining walls have been restored recently, pointing out that these walls are crucial in preventing soil erosion and conserving the area’s ecosystem.