The Heritage Planning Unit (HPU) is the unit responsible for all matters related to natural and cultural immovable heritage. The team is composed of a number of officers of varied expertise thus providing a holistic approach towards heritage management. These officers gather data, maintain heritage-related databases, carry out research and forward planning, designate heritage assets for legal protection, give advice on heritage matters related to development and land use, and monitor development works within heritage sensitive areas as required by Chapter 15 of the Structure Plan for the Maltese Islands and Article 46, 47 and 48 of the Development Planning Act and the Environment Protection Act. The main components of heritage management and tasks of the Heritage Planning Unit include: