Minister pledges clampdown on illegal buildings

The government intends to wage war on buildings outside development zones early next year with tougher regulations and better enforcement.

Environment Minister George Pullicino told The Times that measures were being discussed to stamp out abuse in land use and speed up the enforcement process. He said the initiatives would apply to every type of structure, including hides used by hunters and trappers.

Under the new regulations it would be virtually impossible to make a successful request to the Malta and Environment Planning Authority to sanction a building erected illegally after a date that has yet to be established.

Mepa will also intensify its efforts in special areas of conservation to slap enforcement notices on a multitude of illegal structures that pepper the countryside. Mr Pullicino believes it is possible to reach an acceptable arrangement with hunters and trappers on the illegal hides and he has asked the FKNK to make a proposal on how they could be built in line with the regulations.

"We need to distinguish between rooms and hides. If a hide is built properly, I think it can blend in with the rest of the countryside. But we cannot have a free for all," he said, adding that Mepa was committed to impose itself if a solution was not forthcoming.

In all cases, owners of illegal buildings will be given a set period to appeal. However, discussions are underway to set up a board of appeal specifically for buildings outside the development zones. "This will be a faster process to allow us to act," Mr Pullicino said.

He explained, however, that Mepa currently has difficulties in recouping the amount spent on enforcement.

"Each enforcement costs Lm250 per hour and Mepa has cash flow difficulties - it carries out direct action but then takes years in court to recoup that sum. This is a problem we are facing up to and trying to solve."

The minister insisted that Mepa could do more in the fight against illegal structures.

"Recently I wrote to the chairman and told him that I can understand that there can be a difficulty when it comes to demolishing a building but I think Mepa could do more to seal off buildings. This does not cost so much. There are powers at Mepa's disposal that can be used better. And they should be.

"The worst thing that can happen is to give the impression that people can go and build something and then one day Mepa will try and do something about it. If people build something, it will be there for a while, but at least they will not be able to make use of it."

Mr Pullicino also insisted that the public must have access to walk on the land used by hunters and trappers.

"The enforcement unit needs to have larger administrative capacity and act in coordination with the police to reopen access to public land where it has been shut off...

"I believe that our country needs to reclaim walkways on the land. We already have a problem because there is not much space on this island, and we have to have access to what there is. There has to be a lot more enforcement in this area, but this does not fall under Mepa's responsibility," he said.