The Kamra tal-Periti has welcomed the Government’s decision to designate the White Rocks site as a National Park, describing it as a landmark step that will protect the coastal area from future development. The chamber said the move represents meaningful progress in environmental stewardship and sustainable land-use planning.

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However, the Kamra stressed that the Government’s vision must also extend to the site’s built heritage—specifically the historic White Rocks Barracks, originally known as the Officers’ Married Quarters. Constructed in the 1960s under the War Office Works Directorate, the complex is considered a rare example of modernist military and residential architecture in Malta. Designed by Maltese and British architects, it was twice featured in The Architectural Review (1965 and 1969) for its “simple dignity” and integration with the natural landscape.

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The design follows the “tower-in-park” modernist concept championed by Le Corbusier and adopted in major European cities such as Berlin, Amsterdam and London. This approach placed multi-unit residential blocks within landscaped surroundings—an urban model rooted in the architectural experimentation and technological advancements of the mid-20th century. The Kamra argues that this heritage warrants protection as both built fabric and cultural landscape.

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While supporting the new National Park designation, the Kamra insists the conservation effort cannot succeed if either the natural or architectural elements are overlooked. It is calling for a holistic strategy that includes full statutory protection and restoration of the original 1960s barracks, advocating for adaptive reuse that serves cultural and educational purposes.

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The Kamra made two key recommendations:

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– That the White Rocks complex receive formal protection under both the Development Planning Act and the Cultural Heritage Act; and

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– That any regeneration of the area be undertaken through an architectural design competition.

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The chamber described White Rocks as a rare opportunity to create a unique cultural landscape and urged authorities to ensure that the site’s architectural significance is not lost as part of the wider environmental initiative.

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A Brief Historical Timeline

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• 1960s – Built as Officers’ Married Quarters for British military personnel, reflecting modernist design.

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• 1979 – British forces withdraw; site transferred to Maltese authorities.

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• 1980s–1995 – Converted into a holiday complex for language students.

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• 1995 onwards – Site abandoned; several redevelopment proposals fail.

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• 2025 – Government designates White Rocks as a National Park.