Use of the forts

I have been following with interest the debate and the various suggestions about what to do with Fort St Elmo once the clean-up and refurbishment are complete. It seems this is going to be another long drawn out saga similar to the opera house, on which after a lot of discussions and meetings, nothing was ever agreed, much to the chagrin of taxpayers.

I would like to suggest to the authorities to actually sit down together, and I mean all sides of the political spectrum, and come up with a sensible idea for rehabilitating the fort. In my opinion, for what it is worth, the only way of preserving our heritage, especially the forts, is to have them occupied, otherwise they will revert into the usual state of disrepair, if not looked after.

I am in complete agreement with John A. Consiglio (August 3) that the fort should be preserved fully and totally in the nation's hands, and not for up-market residential units for the private sector. So I suggest that Fort St Elmo be handed over to the military.

It could then be turned into the Armed Forces Naval Academy, Nautical School, Central Mediterranean Surveillance Unit, or whatever. One thing for sure - the military, by its very nature will ensure that the buildings are kept in excellent condition. After all were the forts not designed for the military?