92002E2543

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2543/02

by Pietro-Paolo Mennea (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 September 2002)

Subject: The castle of Barletta

By virtue of resolution No 390 of 18 July 2000 and decision No 1387 of 20 July 2000 the town council of Barletta approved and launched a project for the general restoration of the whole area surrounding the castle of Barletta.

The castle and its surroundings are of great architectural and artistic value, part of the heritage of the whole local community and worthy of being a world heritage site.

Statements made by members of the Italian Government indicate that the execution of the project in Barletta entails worrying damage to the environment which is seriously jeopardising the local ecosystem and the beauty of the landscape. The situation is of particular concern to the town's inhabitants those who benefit most from the area concerned.

Finally, the way the project is being executed is changing and harming the historical and aesthetic integrity of the site.

Can the Commission say whether the required opinions on the project have been received from the competent authorities, in particular Bari's heritage department and the Ministry for Cultural Assets and Activities? Has the project received European Union funding?

Can the Commission say whether the situation is damaging the site and spoiling the natural landscape and historic features of what is such an important area in view of the proximity of Frederick II's castle?

Can the Commission say whether, in the light of this kind of situation, which unfortunately is not unique, a permanent monitoring service might be set up to ascertain the scale of such problems of environmental pollution and damage to historic urban areas?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 2002)

1. The Commission cannot act as a substitute for local, regional or national authorities by authorising or refusing to authorise any particular project. This would infringe the principle of subsidiarity. Nor is it qble to verify whether the required opinions on a project have been given by the Bari heritage department and the Ministry for Cultural Assets and Activities.

2. The project mentioned by the Honourable Member has not been granted aid from the European Regional Development Fund.

3. Creation of a permanent monitoring service as proposed by the Honourable Member is not at present envisaged.