Din l-Art Helwa, the national trust for cultural built heritage in Malta, is calling for “accountability on Fort Chambray,” adding that the Minister for Culture’s “silence on development permissions is unacceptable.”

DLH in a statement on Monday, expressed its “deep concern and disappointment” regarding the recent approval by the Planning Authority for the “demolition of most of the historic British Barracks at Fort Chambray, Gozo and the massive residential and touristic development within the Fort.”

“This decision has sparked unprecedented outrage among citizens, heritage advocates, art historians and environmentalists alike, all of whom have rallied to protect our nation’s historical legacy,” the NGO said.

In the wake of this “alarming development,” DLH stated, “we are shocked by the noticeable silence of the Culture Minister Owen Bonnici. As the representative tasked with safeguarding Malta’s rich cultural heritage, it is imperative that the Minister voices his position on such a critical matter that affects not only our history but also our identity as a nation.”

The British Barracks at Fort Chambray are not merely remnants of the past, DLH said, “they are integral to our collective memory and iconic in their aesthetic and context overlooking the Malta-Gozo channel.”

The NGO warned that “the loss of this structure, simply to facilitate the construction of a massive residential and touristic development in its stead, would mark a significant cultural loss, eroding the very foundations of our heritage and disregarding the voices of the community who cherish it and who have been actively working to protect it.”

Din l-Art Helwa urged Minister Bonnici to “take a stand and engage with the public and numerous NGOs on this issue. The silence is deafening and sends a concerning message about the value afforded to our heritage and to the voices of those who wish to protect it.”

The NGO called on the Minister to “clarify his position and reaffirm his commitment to the preservation of our cultural patrimony. The people of Malta and Gozo deserve transparency and action from their leaders, especially in matters as profound as the demolition of our historical sites.”

Din l-Art Helwa concluded by saying that it “remains committed to advocating for the protection and enhancement of Malta’s cultural built heritage and natural environment, and we will continue to rally the community to ensure that our historical sites are preserved for future generations.”

File photo: Daniel Cilia

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