Anna Busuttil, Swieqi
Invitation to Mepa officials
May I invite to my home those Mepa officials who are issuing permits for first-floor maisonettes to be turned into flats, with the residents of the ground floor maisonettes still living there.
They would, I am sure, love to hear the "music" of the loud hammering over their heads from morning till evening without respite. It's lovely to live in a bare house too, as all wall ornaments and those in showcases and cabinets are packed so as not to get broken by the strong vibrations. That is not all, the dust pervades every nook and cranny even though windows and doors are closed.
This is the sad situation which my husband and I are living through. We were looking forward to a quiet life now that we are both retired but Mepa has disrupted our lives. For me, it's even worse as I suffer from asthma and so have to take medication when usually I am relieved of the symptoms in summer.
We have lost the enjoyment of our garden as no one enjoys a shower of dust and stone, besides the noise.
I'm not sure the officials would be persuaded to come and spend the coming months with us, living in a situation which their lack of common sense has created.
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Alex Ellul
May 16th 2008, 16:46
The following is extracted from the MEPA Mission Statement web-page.:
"The Values which inspire us to fulfill our obligations are those which leave a positive effect on society. Our values are rooted in justice which are manifested in wise and timely decisions appropriately enforced. If we apply these values with commitment, we will be contributing to building the common good , a concept this derived from our country's Christian roots. These values, professionally applied, give evidence to the Authority's integrity in all it does and says."
Karen M. Zammit Manduca
May 16th 2008, 13:50
Almost a year ago now, during the consultation period for the new Environment Management Building Regulations, I personally spent many weeks researching and preparing a report that I hoped would help MRAE to consider harsher regulations to protect residents of built up areas for inconveniences such as these. I submitted this report to MRAE in the name of FAA around the 24th May.
I put lots of emphasis on the fact that modernistion or building works in these areas still had to be carried out at times, but in established residential areas, the comfort, sanity and safety of established residents had to take priority. I advised shorter working hours with an afternoon break and no work at weekends. I do appreciate that this is inconvenient for the contractor, but we do know that contractors usually work on several places at the same time, so they can always distribute work accordingly. On the other hand, in completely new, as yet unestablished areas, work could carry on longer.
One of the points I stressed upon most was the levels of noise following which amendments were made to the draft legal notice. What is interesting is that these noise related sections were not to be implemented immediately, and with no fixed date for implementation. How convenient! These should have, if not to commence immediately, been set a deadline so that contractors would have to start repairing or replacing noisy machinery to be well in time to comply. As things stand, this may never happen because once it is decided that this regulation has to come into force, the contractors will probably protest that they need a longer time.
Unfortunately, although MRAE did adjust slightly the regulations, I find that they are still very much lacking in residents' rights considerations.
Meanwhile, may I suggest that Ms Busuttil consult the current Environment Management Building Regulations carefully and immediately phone the 24-hour EMCS Regulations Infringements Unit number 20699595 to report any infringements immediately, because it is only through constant monitoring that contractors will eventually get the message that they cannot do as they please.
E. Azzopardi
May 16th 2008, 13:01
How many times did we hear this? How many press conferences did we pose to?
Even last November this Minister said that new regulations where coming into force.
Go to Sliema and you see. .I have always been thought the following ; NEVER MAKE A PROMISE YOU CANNOT KEEP. But then as I always say: Hope is eternal.
Joe Scerri
May 16th 2008, 12:26
And the PN are still wondering why they lost so may votes, by the way if MLP are ever elected does anyone really believe that any of this arrogance will stop?
G. Scerri
May 16th 2008, 12:02
Mentioning of Minister Pullicino. I hope he remembers that on the opening of Ta' Qali he had promised to cushion Attard from the worst effects that hosting the Trade Fair at Ta' Qali will bring. Attard is already in a dismantled state by the rivers of traffic that rush through it day and night. While Villa Bologna attracts, quite rightly, a lot of sympathy, all of Attard needs to come together to fight the traffic pollution that has transformed this once quite village. The Council seems to be conspicuous only by its silence in the matter.
joe felice pace
May 16th 2008, 09:51
Yesterday Minister George Pullicino was speaking of steps to be taken for MEPA to ensure third party rights during demolition and/or building. One hopes that these measures come into effect as soon as possible. Balzan residents have been living with this situation for too long - and then there is a longer wait to get some form of compensation, if at all!
A.E. Camilleri
May 16th 2008, 08:56
Is one to understand that you, living in the maisonette below the development, had not been contacted prior to the relevant PE permission being granted! Was no MEPA notice placed on the facade of the site to be developed witnessed before the work started? Your situation is quite understood and I pity you and your husband indeed. It would be good to read MEPA's comments on this exchange of correspondence on this issue! We all agree that far too much development is at present taking place in our town. Can one really call this progress!