FAA welcomes the restoration of Roseville in Attard, said to be Malta's only Art Nouveau country villa. This unique architectural gem with its floral sculpted window-surrounds and painted motifs recalls the Art Nouveau houses of Brussels, Antwerp and Central Europe. The interior of the house is also notable for its Egyptian-inspired decoration, with motifs based on the Egyptology style that was fashionable at the time. Once its period wrought-iron fence was broken, the house became the victim of vandals who hastened its deterioration.  FAA has been highlighting the fast-deteriorating state of this scheduled property for almost two years and is delighted that action is being taken to halt the damage.  

It must be appreciated that MEPA's Integrated Heritage Management Unit does not have an easy role, however this sort of action helps to rebuild the public's confidence in MEPA. Similar action should also be taken for Villa Alhambra and Villa Drago in Sliema, Villa Frieres at St. Julian’s and Villa Guardamangia, Queen Elizabeth’s former home in Pieta as they are all scheduled properties that are being left to deteriorate. Property owners sometimes allow this to happen in the hope that the elements will hasten the demolition that MEPA has refused. 

Now that the Dark Ages are starting to lift and we are seeing a MEPA that is much more pro-active on heritage, could the authorities please work on activating the Heritage Fund to give financial assistance to owners of scheduled properties. How can the owners of a structure like, say, Balluta Buildings possibly fulfil their legal requirements to maintain such a monument, without help from the State?

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar

24th October 2008