British-based campaigners are calling for Government and Wedco to reconsider their proposal to tear down Victoria and Albert Rows amid fears a vital part of Bermuda’s heritage could be destroyed.The Naval Dockyards Society is calling for a conservation management plan for Dockyard, claiming a multimillion dollar tourism project, which will include the HMS Malabar building, raises further questions about the future integrity of the West End.Group secretary Ann Coats said she understands no repairs have been made to Malabar since she noted it was suffering hurricane damage in 2007.Ms Coats was reacting to the West End Development Corporation’s plan to demolish the 150-year-old Victoria and Albert Rows as part of an initiative to build 100 new housing units.Malabar, a former Navy supply base, will be involved in the proposed $275 million multisport training, arts and entertainment resort as part of the Tourism Plan’s aim to lure visitors all the year round.Wedco and the Ministry of Public Works responded by saying the housing needs of residents today are of utmost importance, and that plans are in the pipeline for restoring Dockyard’s buildings with the limited resources available.Ms Coats’ letter and the Ministry’s response are included in full in today’s paper [see page 4].Explaining her concerns, Ms Coats told The Royal Gazette: “It’s something we feel strongly about. We are disturbed that maybe the Dockyard buildings aren’t being valued as highly as they could be in order to benefit Bermuda’s people and the tourism industry.“What Wedco has done is good, they restore a lot of buildings. They have got interesting opportunities in Dockyard but there are areas where it could be improved.“We are very worried about demolition of buildings that are unique to Bermuda that should be adding value to Bermuda’s heritage.“It would be a heritage waste, and a waste of energy. Albert and Victoria Rows embody the energy put into their buildings 150 years ago, and replacing them with new buildings will take a whole new lot of energy.“It’s part of everyone’s heritage. People who are living now can value what was created 400 years ago, and they can value what was created 150 years ago, and it can add to their current appreciation of where they live.“Bermuda is a beautiful, rich, built environment, but it could be better.”“They are part of Bermuda’s heritage. To me, as a historian, it’s like cutting off part of you to throw away that sort of heritage, because it can’t be replaced.“There’s nothing wrong with new buildings, but to destroy old buildings for the sake of protecting new buildings is wrong.“We are sure that there are Bermudians who would be interested in retaining these old buildings, if they were aware that they were at risk.“Apart from their heritage value, it is more sustainable to reuse them. Without wishing to seem to be poking our noses into Bermudian business, the NDS does feel that Bermuda Dockyard is part of global heritage, like St George’s.”Wedco chairman Walter Lister said: “Of course we welcome positive criticism from anyone, and a lot of the points Ms Coats makes we are well aware of.“In fact, we have a long-term plan for a number of buildings in a state of disrepair. It’s a matter of economics. We plan to do those things in time.“I happened to be in the UK not so long ago and I found some buildings in a state of disrepair.”Regarding the heritage of Victoria and Albert Rows, he said: “I don’t really put a lot on that sort of thing.“These are not listed buildings. We want to improve the quality of life for people in Bermuda presently.”Mr Lister added he was disappointed Ms Coats raised the matter through the media, saying: “She could have handled things in a much more diplomatic way. She could have spoken to us and we would have listened.“We felt it was a bit unfair to send her letter to The Royal Gazette for publication without sending it to us first.”Works Minister Michael Weeks responded in part: “Whilst Ms Coats suggestions are well taken, such as plans to restore Moresby House (Malabar), most of them are already under review, in the public domain and/or contained in the plans for the continued restoration of Dockyard.“We have to be mindful that Wedco has limited resources at its disposal and has to consider what is achievable from a pragmatic approach, putting its focus on the areas of priority and housing issues remain a priority development.“I wish to make it clear that Wedco is cognisant of the responsibility of building, protecting and preserving the quality of life for our community.“The new Wedco housing development affords an opportunity for every current sitting Wedco tenant to move into a brand new unit.“This opportunity will be the start of a new community, a community that every tenant will participate in shaping the quality of life for years to come.”The Ministry also clarified that the Eastern and Western Storehouses are Grade One listed buildings, and Moresby House and Albert Row are Grade Two.Useful websites: www.planning.gov.bm