Iniciativa Liberal (IL) believes that the potential classification of the house belonging to Madeiran artist Lourdes Castro, in Caniço, should be accompanied by a concrete strategy for the property. The party demands a "serious acquisition proposal" to the current owner and a "credible project for the installation of a cultural facility dedicated to her legacy."
The IL highlights a lack of transparency and responsibility regarding the property's future, stating that "to date, there is no public plan for the Casa de Lourdes Castro, nor has any acquisition proposal been presented by any public entity." The party argues that classifying a property without a clear plan could restrict the owner's rights without benefiting the community.
Deputy Gonçalo Maia Camelo stated that "classifying without acquiring, without a project, and without ensuring the necessary means for its recovery could turn a measure intended for heritage preservation into another process of expropriation without public utility and without compensation." IL fears the state may repeat a pattern of acquiring heritage properties without the means for their conservation, leading to abandonment.
"The best way to honor Lourdes Castro's legacy is not to create another bureaucratic process or one of intentions. It is to ensure that this space is effectively preserved and transformed into a living, accessible, and relevant cultural facility for Madeira," added the deputy. IL hopes the classification will be the first step of a serious and useful project, without harming the owner's rights.
