Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna welcomed the acquisition by government of Villa Guardamangia, a house which served as a residence to Queen Elizabeth when she used to reside in Malta. This important building is of significant historic and artistic merit which justifies it acquisition by the state on behalf of future generations.
Besides its architectural value Villa Guardamangia also forms an integral part of the historic environment of Guardamangia Hill to which it gives its character. One hopes that with this move the long term conservation of this important building is ensured for the benefit of future generations.
While considering this move as a positive one, FWA appealed to the government to activate without further delay the long planned Heritage Fund as stipulated in the Cultural Heritage and which has remained on paper since 2002. This fund is specifically meant to provide the necessary mechanisms for such eventualities and will surely facilitate similar important acquisitions in the future.
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar also welcomed Government's purchase of Villa Guardamangia, Pieta. FAA has been calling for its restoration for over a decade, in line with Malta's regulations protecting scheduled heritage buildings. The villa deserves to be restored not only for its historic value, being the only residence of Queen Elizabeth II outside of the UK, but also because of its architectural merit, set in a street that is being restored to its former grandeur. The sensitive restoration of this building will be an asset that adds to Malta's touristic appeal and to Maltese cultural identity, as it will now be accessible to the Maltese public, bringing us in touch with our rich heritage.
FAA appealed to the Government to continue with such purchases; at a time of year-on-year budget surplusses the public would hugely welcome the buying back of historic public sites that were wrongfully sold to private interests. After two millenia of colonisation, it is time that the public is given access to its own land, rather than being newly-colonised by developers. Manoel Island is a case in point where, rather than a luxury commercial development which will increase toxic vehicle emissions in a highly polluted area, the public will be far better served if Manoel Island is turned into a health-giving green heritage park and open space from which all will benefit.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said in parliament that the property had the potential to become a huge tourist attraction.
The deal to buy the villa was signed on Monday.
Dr Muscat said talks would start with Pieta Council on ways to mitigate the expected interest by tourists in the site.
He said the villa, which had fallen into disrepair over the years, would be restored by the government.