Wirt Għawdex said Friday intends to appeal, together with other NGOs, the Planning Authority’s decisions on Fort Chambray.
Earlier this month, a mega-development proposed within Fort Chambray in Gozo and the dismantling of a British barracks building within the same complex was approved by the Planning Authority.
For years, Wirt Għawdex has consistently stood against the ruin of this site at the hands of greed. The Organisation had also commissioned a technical report on the state of the Fort, and has long lobbied both for its preservation and public access.
As Wirt Għawdex stated during the PA hearing on 12th of December, an attempt was made during presentations to give the impression that with the demolition of the British Barracks, one would almost be doing a favour to the legacy of the Knights of Malta – a blasphemous assertion which was subsequently echoed by the Culture Ministry, no less.
Successive administrations, and politicians on both sides of the House, have failed the public on Chambray. When a country demolishes pristine, historic buildings to make way for apartments for the rich few, it fails its moral obligations.
Wirt Għawdex continues to question how the British Barracks were never scheduled – neither during the scheduling process of 2005, nor at any later point. Such an omission naturally raises the question: was an intention to demolish this historic building harboured all these years? In a country which regularly sees both major political parties bitterly opposed to each other, it is noteworthy how in this particular case, both appear to happily allow such a travesty to take place without lifting a finger.
The Fort and the historic buildings within, including the British Barracks, are part of our common heritage. Those who partake in destruction at this site – be it by commission or omission – will be tarnishing their name, and history will judge them, the NGO said.