|
James Debono
Just a month prior to the proposal for a rationalisation of development boundaries, Labour candidate Marlene Pullicino presented a planning application for the restoration of the Torri tal-Kaptan in Qrendi, which she is planning to purchase.
The new Labour candidate is planning to add a small bedroom adjacent to the tower, and is currently concluding the purchase of this property from the owners of the historical building.
The castle has been included in the revised scheme but Pullicino claims she was surprised to learn that this property and the surrounding garden have been included.
“I had only learned of the inclusion of this property from other people after it was announced,” she told MaltaToday.
Nationalist mayor and Building Consultative Council chairman Robert Musumeci – the architect who presented the application – claims that the development is rigorously aimed for conservation and excludes any speculative motive.
Over the past months the MLP had singled out various Nationalist exponents like Ninu Zammit and Beppe Fenech Adami who have had their lands included in the new scheme. But the inclusion of this property in the new scheme has not altered Pullicino’s strong views against the government’s decision to sacrifice more land to development.
Writing in l-orizzont on Monday, Pullicino argued that the government was behaving like someone who wanted to build new rooms in the garden while having plenty of rooms still empty.
The tower, which is presently in a derelict state, formerly housed the captain of the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. It is considered to be one of Qrendi’s most prominent monuments and is unique in the Maltese islands due to its octagonal shape. Eight drop-balconies flank the respective sides on the tower’s roof. From these balconies, it is believed that defenders could throw boulders and hot oil down onto any unwelcome attackers.
Pullicino, who claims to have Malta’s heritage at heart, intends to restore the fortress to its former grandeur. She also told MaltaToday that she has sought the advice of the superintendence for cultural heritage in order to ensure that the restoration of the historical building is done in full respect of heritage regulations.
“I intend to open the building for school children to help them appreciate our culture.”
She also intends to open the building to band clubs during the Qrendi feast. Marlene Pullicino is set to contest the fifth electoral district, which includes Qrendi and Zurrieq.
Pullicino is known for the support she gives to the Carmelite Band Club in Zurrieq. She denied rumours that she has donated a chandelier costing Lm1,000 to the band club but acknowledged giving a substantial financial donation to the club.
She denies that she is doing this to garner electoral support. “As a former band musician I feel a duty to help the band club.”
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
|
