Heavier caseload for Mepa

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority's enforcement unit last month closed a record 150 enforcement cases.

The highest figure reached previously was 75.

Mepa said it determined 508 applications last month and received 652 new ones.

The net pending caseload at the end of the month was 3,038.

The authority processed 133 notifications of development, which do not require a formal application.

Seventy-six stop and enforcement notices were issued, 11 by the north team, 20 by the south team, 22 by the central team, 20 by the Gozo team and three by the Major Project team.

During the same month 92 enforcement cases were sanctioned by a Mepa permit, 54 illegal structures were removed by their owners and four notices were withdrawn. Mepa carried out one direct action operation which consisted of sealing of a panel beater garage in Gozo.