Momentum supports Grade 1 scheduling of Fort Chambray British Barracks
Momentum welcomes the call by Europa Nostra for the immediate Grade 1 scheduling of the British Barracks at Fort Chambray and urges the government to act without further delay to protect this unique part of Gozo’s heritage.
Despite repeated warnings from heritage organisations and the international recognition of the barracks’ outstanding historical and cultural value, there appears to be no political will from either the Government or the Opposition to ensure the full protection of this site
Carmel Asciak, member of the Momentum committee, said, “Instead of putting the public interest and our heritage first, the political establishment continues to tolerate a planning system that prioritises development interests over the preservation of our national heritage. The British Barracks are the only British barracks in Gozo, an important part of the island’s military and social history, and a site with the potential to become a major cultural and tourism attraction.”
Momentum believes that the British Barracks should be preserved, restored, and made accessible to the public, and immediately given Grade 1 protection. Grade 1 is the highest level of heritage protection in Malta and means that a historic building will be preserved in its entirety, with only very limited alterations allowed. Any lower grade would allow for various alterations to take place.
For many years, this site has remained inaccessible to the public. An entire generation has grown up without the opportunity to visit and experience this important part of Gozo’s heritage.
Last May, Momentum proposed that Fort Chambray become a national park.
Asciak added that “Gozo’s heritage is not for sale. The Government must demonstrate whether it is ready to protect our heritage in practice, or whether it will continue to place the interests of developers before the public interest.”
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