Mepa decides 940 applications

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority determined 940 applications during October and November, 450 of them in October. At the end of November, the net pending caseload was 2,896.

In October, 88 stop and enforcement notices were issued, 17 in the north of Malta, 29 in the south, 14 in the central area and 28 in Gozo.

A total of 57 enforcement cases were sanctioned by the issue of a sanctionable permit. Another 40 cases were resolved since owners decided to remove illegal development following enforcement action. During the same month, three cases were withdrawn by Mepa. Following final notification from the direct action team, two cases were closed as owners decided to remove the illegal development prior to any further action by Mepa.

In October, three direct action operations were carried out by Mepa. One consisted of the removal of an extension to an existing kiosk while another one involved the sealing of equipment of spray painting. An illegal quarry was also sealed.

During November, 107 stop and enforcement notices were issued: 66 in Malta and 41 in Gozo. This increase in enforcements issued over past months is due to considerable actions taken against various billboards placed around the island without the necessary permit.

Sixty enforcement cases were sanctioned by the issue of a sanctionable permit. Another 16 cases were resolved since owners decided to remove illegal development following enforcement action. During the same month, five cases were withdrawn by Mepa.

Following final notification from the direct action team, one case was resolved as once again the owner decided to remove an illegal development prior any further action by Mepa.

During November, the direct action team removed a five-course boundary wall at Attard, another boundary wall in Naxxar, cleaned up dumping of waste material in Mgarr and removed a scrapyard from Hal Far.