AD chairman hails Ramla permit revocation

Harry Vassallo, chairman of Alternattiva Demokratika, has expressed satisfaction at the decision taken by Mepa to revoke the Ulysses Lodge permit for development at Ramla l-Hamra, Gozo, a permit AD had opposed.

Dr Vassallo described the evolution of the case as "farcical", stating that Mepa approved the development of the site even though the board had refused a similar project on the designated site before and even though the majority of the public was against it.

He accused Mepa of attempting "to gain some semblance of respectability by wasting public funds to litter newspapers with its justifications".

This case, Dr Vassallo added, served to highlight the deficiencies of the planning process in Malta. He congratulated the NGOs and local councils that campaigned against the project.

In reply, Mepa said it stood by all its decisions, which include the issue of all permits on the Ulysses Lodge.

"There were no irregularities in the process from Mepa's side in spite of the various unfounded allegations," it said.

"The authority, while consulting the public at the appropriate junctures, does not take decisions by public acclamation.

"On the contrary, while taking into account contributions by the public and NGOs, Mepa bases its decisions on policies and regulations, facts, as well as on scientific studies. The revocation was carried out because a specific condition in the permit could not be satisfied," it said.