Safety not in Mepa's remit
Reference is made to the letter Xemxija Mudslide (January 30). It should be clarified that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority does not have the legal remit nor the responsibility to assess or verify the safety of any development being carried...
Reference is made to the letter Xemxija Mudslide (January 30). It should be clarified that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority does not have the legal remit nor the responsibility to assess or verify the safety of any development being carried out, whether such a development has been authorised by the Mepa or not. The role of the Mepa, as regulated by law, is to determine and regulate development on planning grounds.
When situations arise which necessitate urgent works (which would otherwise require a development permit), such as in this particular case, the authority does have a procedure in place whereby it may immediately approve of such works without the necessity of a fully fledged development permit.
Matters relating to safety in relation to construction are regulated by laws and regulations which do not fall within the Mepa's legal remit.