Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/700383
8 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 6 JULY 2016 News IN ALL LEADING BOOK SHOPS HISTORY OF ORNITHOLOGY IN MALTA Mdina bastions agricultural ruins set for reconstruction JAMES DEBONO THE heavily weathered ruins of roofless agricultural rooms, just be- low the Mdina bastions are set for reconstruction after the Planning Directorate issued its go ahead. A final decision will be taken by the Environment Planning Commis- sion on 13 July. Aerial photos show that the roofs of three rooms set below the bas- tions had already collapsed before 1967. The Superintendence for Cultural Heritage had strongly objected to a previous application to rebuild the rooms over a larger footprint by a previous owner. But when consult- ed on this application the cultural watchdog failed to give its feedback. The Environment Protection Di- rectorate warned that the ruins of the formerly existing rooms should not serve as a pretext for a new room. It also claimed that it is "du- bious" whether the size of the pro- posed store reflect the dimensions of the pre-1967 structure depicted in a 1968 survey sheet. But the case officer disputed this claim, insisting that all structures are visible in aerial photos taken before 1967. The case officer also argued that the restoration of old vernacular buildings is encouraged by the new rural policy. The proposal involves the partial demolition of the dilapidated walls of two rooms at ground level, the demolition of the external stone slab stairs and the demolition of the room at first floor level. The rooms and the stairs will be rebuilt on the original footprint. The structures will still be used for agricultural purposes. Din l-Art Helwa are objecting to the proposed development, saying that although in its current state of ruin the buildings are "inconspicu- ous", if rebuilt they would clash with the fortifications, creating an eyesore. The environmental organization is also pointing out that the room on the first floor was a later ad- dition and insisted that no newly built structure should be allowed to obstruct the fortifications of Mdina. MEPA's Heritage Advisory Panel expressed a different opinion. According to the HAC since the structure is quite old it can also be considered to form part of the landscape, including the fortifica- tions. The panel added that it has no objection as long as the existing footprint and height of building is maintained, and called on the ap- plicant to use the existing weath- ered stone in the restored struc- ture. A restoration method statement presented by the architect of the project claims that the building is a "good example of Maltese rural architecture." The new building will include timber apertures and stone will be used from "selected quarries" with colour matching the existing building. Brian Azzopardi, who is being assisted by architect and govern- ment advisor Robert Musumeci, presented the application. New Democratic Party registers with Electoral Commission THE recently formed Democratic Party has submitted its registration form to the Electoral Commission. The application was submitted yesterday by its secretary general, Marco Cremona. This is the first time that political parties and movements are being registered with the Commission, following the enactment of the party financing law, that came into force earlier this year. Last month, the three established parties; the Labour Party, the Na- tionalist Party and Alternattiva Demokratika, submitted their ap- plications. The Democratic Party was launched last month by independ- ent MP and former Labour MP Marlene Farrugia. It has described itself as a "group of people who are answering the country's call against tribalism and the tradi- tional parties". "A new political force is required, led by people whose success is the result of their own work and sacrifices and not by jumping on some political bandwagon, which opened for them one door after another whilst other people had to be disciplined and work hard to achieve similar results," the PD said in its opening public state- ment. Marlene Farrugia This unsightly ruin below the Mdina bastions may be rebuilt 'Irresponsible' Brexit leaders left citizens without a plan – Vella MIRIAM DALLI FOREIGN Affairs Minister George Vella has lambasted the "irresponsible" Brexit campaign leaders after former London mayor Boris Johnson ruled himself out of the Conservative leadership race whilst Nigel Farage resigned as Ukip leader. Addressing a 'government that listens' session focusing on the work of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Vella said the people who should now be leading the country out of the European Union have called it quits, leaving citizens without a plan. "They have disappeared and no one knows what's going to happen," Vella said, as questions remained until the UK triggers Article 50 to start the exit process. As the minister was speaking, 'Remain' campaigner Theresa May, the Home Secretary, surged ahead in the contest to decide who will become the UK's next prime min- ister; former Defence Secretary Liam Fox was eliminated from the Tory race. On Malta's rotating presidency of the Council of the European Un- ion, Vella reiterated that Malta's preferred option was for Estonia – which would have succeeded the United Kingdom after Malta – to step in six months earlier. Howev- er, Malta was also ready to extend its six-month presidency by three months, to share the UK's slot. The government has argued that giving Malta a full 12 months would be stretching its resources to the limit.