Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) said that it has submitted a research paper to UNESCO in connection with the Government’s State of Conservation Report 2024 linked to the Valletta Management Plan.

The FAA said that its report is “thoroughly researched with over 50 photos and photomontages showing the impacts on Valletta which were completely ignored by the Ministry for National Heritage in its Views and Vistas Report submitted to UNESCO.

FAA maintained that the proposed buffer zone “is insufficient to meet Malta’s obligations under the World Heritage Convention and related guidelines. The Views and Vistas Analysis report attached to the Conservation report is illogical, poorly researched and deeply flawed.”

“The first major flaw is that while the buffer zone is meant to preserve views of Valletta, the proposed buffer zone does not include the viewpoints all along the coast of Marsamxett,” said FAA.

It pointed out that the buffer zone “ends in the sea just like the 2010 Government proposal rejected by UNESCO. The view is enjoyed by the public when standing on land and not from the sea. If the actual coastal zone is not included in the buffer zone, it means that the coast can be built up. How can the view be protected if the place from where one enjoys the view can be built up?”

“The second major flaw is that the proposed buffer zone does not safeguard Valletta’s supposedly protected skyline,” stated FAA. “Developments built in the Tigne area and even St Julians and Paceville intrude over the skyline of Valletta when viewed from across the Grand Harbour.”

FAA stressed that “the Views and Vistas report hides these impacts with photos which do not respect the photographic standards set by the Planning Authority and at angles designed to hide the impacts. No photomontages are included in the Views and Vista report of approved projects which are yet to be built.”

The third flaw, stated FAA, “is that the report skirts around the issue of tables, chairs, sun canopies and tents on Valletta’ streets and the impact of entertainment outlets on the quality of life of Valletta residents. UNESCO’s Outstanding Universal Value site rating also depends on the city’s authenticity, plus protection of the quality of life of its residents.”

FAA has proposed an extension of the buffer zone to include the coastal zone of Marsamxett in line with the view of Valletta from coastal viewpoints. Zones in Sliema, Kalkara and beyond should have restrictions on tall buildings so that they do not intrude over the skylines of Valletta.

FAA also called for an extension of the buffer zone to a line between the Fortizza Area in Sliema and the Rinella Water tank to protect the views of the tip of Valletta with its impressive Fort St Elmo and defencive bastions.

FAA concluded by saying that “much damage has already been done to the setting and streets of Valletta, but we must not let the situation deteriorate further or we risk losing the status of Valletta as a UNESCO site of Outstanding Universal Value.”

Photo: Buffer zone as proposed by the Government – FAA

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