• email article
  • print article
  • small text sizemedium text sizelarge text size
  • comment on this article

UPDATED: Mistra disco permit revoked

(Adds MLP reaction)

The MEPA board this morning unanimously revoked the controversial outline permit granted for an outdoor disco in Mistra.

The permit was revoked in terms of Article 39A of the Development Planning Act because assessments in terms of the Habitats Directive had not been carried out.

The developer behind the development application did not turn up for the board meeting and informed the authority that he is no longer interested in developing the site, which is rented from Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando.

MEPA Auditor Joe Falzon had slammed the Planning Authority’s Development Control Commission A over the way it granted the permit for the disco and had recommended that the permit be withdrawn.

Mr Falzon carried out the investigation at the request of the Prime Minister amid the controversy at the end of the electoral campaign.

In his conclusions and recommendations, Mr Falzon said the development application was not assessed according to official policies and its approval was a gross irregularity.

He accused the DCC of failing to abide by the provisions of the Development Planning Act and had decided against planning policies as established by Mepa and approved by the minister responsible.

Furthermore, the provisions of the EU Habitats Directive and related local legislation had been ignored.

The Labour Party this afternoon welcomed the MEPA decision to revoke the permit for the open air disco at Mistra.

The Party said it was sure that had Alfred Sant not raised the issue last March, one of the most scenic spots in Malta would have been lost.

The MLP campaign had been shown to be correct, first by the MEPA auditor a few days after the election and now by the MEPA board itself.

The MLP said today’s decision put further pressure on the Prime Minster to make a statement in Parliament on the political implications of the scandal.

  • Google Bookmarks Del.icio.us Facebook Blogger YahooMyWeb Digg Reddit Stumbleupon
  • email article
  • print article
  • small text sizemedium text sizelarge text size
  • comment on this article

Comments

Lisa Galea (on 28/6/08)
Christina Borg talks about the usual political rethoric.

I would go one step further. Doesn't the local fauna deserve to live in Mistra. We seem to have forgotten what silence and birds singing are on this island.

Tonight I went on my roof hoping to spend some idle time. My roof is a considerable distance from both Gianpula and Buskett . Yet I was obliged to come back indoors because there is a party tonight ,with bass sounds at very high levels and mostly disturbing.

If MEPA also drafted noise impact regulations it would be another feather in their cap and perhaps ADT should think about that as well. Who knows we might be able to live in a better environment.
Abel Abela (on 28/6/08)
There is only one honourable way out.
Patronage is a form of corruption.
Political pressure on public officials may not necessarily lead to prosecution by the police. But it's a clear abuse of power whether done for others or for one's own interests - or for both.
Half-truths are no better than lies. "An excuse is worse and more terrible than a lie, for an excuse is a lie guarded." (John Paul II)


A Daley (on 28/6/08)
Christina Borg, slow down darling, ----- ----- slow down.

This issue is not over yet, so I suggest that one should give time to the Courts to come up with the verdict for the three wise men, remember?

Why are you getting so hot under the collar Christina Borg? Do you have some kind of a vested interest in this issue, or what?

Jew mahruqa ghax waqajtu ghac-cajt?
R.Curmi (on 28/6/08)
continued...

We can continue for example how Dr Sant was wrong attacking JPO on corruption when he should have attacked him on credibility, however with such a short phrase you might get the picture. Political mileage! AH! Yes, only a donkey does not take it if he sees it.

Then again if you happen to know what is going on around you and not be blinded by patrician talk you will notice that the case is far from closed, as I think (forgive me for living on planet Oz) three people are implicated in this case and if things run there course as they should in court, who knows what might come out in the future.

Got the drift!

R.Curmi (on 28/6/08)
christina borg and all people with patrician inclining like you(BLUE OR RED).
To be credible in your letters you have to put the whole picture in the frame, half of it does not hold water at all, at least with people who have half an ounce of intelligence.
Not that you where wrong in what you said, but I’ll give you an example how you should have continued your letter to be credible and not show what your sole agenda is.

“On the other hand, JPO should make a public apology too and step down, because he took his constituents, the rest of the citizens, and his party for a ride, by advocating his green credentials for years, then at the worst possible time, turning himself as a speculator of ODZ land. You see, integrity is an important factor in politics, and although I feel sorry for JPO, he brought it on himself through greed, so he has no other way out”.

to be continued...

D Mifsud (on 28/6/08)
Huh! so Ms Borg, we all know that if Dr Sant didnt mention the case, we would have had that piece of land ruined forever, and you say that Dr Sant owes an apology?!!! Everyone should be grateful to Dr Sant except those few ppl which would have earned 'some' euros from that project
Christina Borg (on 28/6/08)
Hon Alfred Sant made accusations that the Outline Development Permit was issued as a result of Corruption (money paid for the permit to be issued). This accusation has till now been shown to be false. So it is Hon Alfred Sant that owes an apology to all the people that were harassed by him and his media, including MEPA officials that for weeks at end were targeted by Hon Alfred Sant’s media even when the case was subjudice.

As soon as Prime Minister Gonzi got to know about the Mistra allegations by Hon Alfred Sant, he referred the case to the MEPA Auditor and the Commissioner of Police, and refused to comment further on the issue. Not so Hon Alfred Sant and his media. They made sure that they did not miss one single opportunity to gain political mileage from this case and to influence the outcome of the case while the investigations were still ongoing.

Really and truly, Hon Alfred Sant and his media owe an apology to many people on the Mistra case and on many others cases.
D Mifsud (on 28/6/08)
I I think some apologies are due to Dr Sant, especially from Prime Minister and former PN Secretary J Saliba, because they accused him of mud slinging without even investigating the details. Their first and foremost aim was not to loose votes.
Christina Borg (on 27/6/08)
For all us sceptics of this world, it is worth looking at the photo accompanying this article. A substantial part of the building in the Mistra picture was approved by MEPA years ago with minimal negative public reaction. The Chair of the DCC Board that approved the building was the same person who today is MEPA’s Auditor. Notice the difference? Times have changed us and people’s expectations for the better especially since the site, on Government’s recommendation, was designated as a Natura 2000 site.
B Sant (on 27/6/08)
I bet my head that this would be a one off by MEPA, due to the political pressure did any one expect that MEPA would do otherwise? If MEPA and DR Gonzi really insist for an environmental change in this country i can hire them a few machinery to sweep the illegal boathouses in our country and not rationalise them. I m sure that Dr Joseph in national interest wont oppose the sanctioning of these small bungalows.
Now dear leaders im sure you dont mind me if i build a small room in the midst of barraka. Afterall i still want to choose my fav spot in this island for some private recreation. By the way you got all the time in the world to sanction it. Depends how urgent you need my vote.
I Balzan (on 27/6/08)
Forget politics for a while and thank our lucky stars that this permit has been revoked and let's hope a few other MEPA blunders are rectified as soon as possible for the good of all. I beleive anyone who was involved even indriectly should stand up and be counted and apologise to the country and leave their posts to better suited persons. Malta and Gozo deserve better.
martin attard (on 27/6/08)
at last well done Mepa.....Dr.Sant was perfectly true....big shame on JPO.....where's daphne ???havent seen her comments yet !! gday all!
David Meilak (on 27/6/08)
Ok.........so where is the hero in this situation? Alfred Sant? The only reason he brought this out in the open is because he tried to get political advantage out of it..........thats all.......there was no love for our environment, the subject could have been anything for MLP to grab onto before the election. MEPA....... is a white elephant that in my honest opinion can only be tamed by Dr. Gonzi, as no other politician has ever managed to do so.
Christina Borg (on 27/6/08)
There is another interesting point on this issue.

It now transpires that the developer had withdrawn his application. So technically and theoretically, MEPA could have just ‘closed’ the file and ‘put it away’. And had it done so, it would have saved itself the embarrassment of reversing its own decision. Yet, it seems that for the sake of transparency, MEPA decided to continue with the process of ‘revocation’ of the Outline Permit concerned.

Isn’t MEPA’s behaviour commendable? Should we not all recognise benchmarks of good practice when we see it?

I admire people and institutions that have the guts to right a wrong they would have committed. It is a sign of strength not of weakness.
josette pace (on 27/6/08)
OH please J Micallef !!! i m anything but NAIVE....YOU SEE my dad was in the construction business under the mintoff regime so i know EXACTLY what was going through .....SO?? are you saying that i should expect more of the same now???? for once why dont we pn supposrtes admit that jpo was wrong and gonzi knew all along
j degiovanni (on 27/6/08)
@josette pace
I am sure you didn't vote PN
philip pace (on 27/6/08)
Welcome to the circus.
Leaving out negative partisan politics, it is clear that JPO should resign immediately as I am sure that those who shall be brought to answer on their parts in this most sleazy affair ever, would sing as they are not going down alone. They would bring in JPO in their defense.
So JPO, you know that there is only one thing to do. You know what it is.
Those who defended the green boy should rectify their thoughts and acknowledge the fact that they have been conned and duped by this shameful act.
That's all.
Now where are those bananas?
Jane Magri Lanzon (on 27/6/08)
Ms Christina Borg,
While agreeing with your comments, I am still upset and irritated with the way JPO treated this issue, the same as Dr. Sant ... "as an electoral campaign trump card" in favour of himself. I recall Jeffrey's words, tears etc. We are not a bunch of idiots. I cannot tolerate that prior to election instead of attending meetings we attend drama sessions. If I wanted to watch a drama I would have gone to Manoel Theatre instead. In the name of many others PN supporters I honestly believe that Dr Gonzi would be empowered without JPO. Let us not face another election on one foot. Cannot anyone guess what the billboards of MLP would be filled up with???
Emmanuel Mazzitelli (on 27/6/08)
The revocation by MEPA speaks loud and clear. I leave the conclusion to you, my friends.
Christina Borg (on 27/6/08)
When Hon Alfred Sant was informed about the Mistra case from a high official at MEPA, he decided to use this case as an electoral campaign trump card. We all know the scene in front of MEPA, at Mistra and other places. As soon as the Prime Minister was informed about this story, he immediately referred the case first to the MEPA Auditor and then to the Commissioner of Police.

Those who followed the case closely know that, in his report on the case, the MEPA Auditor advised that the Outline Development Permit be withdrawn. As soon as this report was published, the Prime Minister asked MEPA to implement the MEPA Auditor’s recommendations.

MEPA has now revoked the Outline Development Permit.

While Hon Alfred Sant was engaged with his Electoral Campaign based on sleaze, the Prime Minister was concerned with propriety and good administration, without fear or favour.
Claire Bonello (on 26/6/08)
@ A Gauci Cunningham. You're right and let's hope that other questionable permits will be revoked - wherever they may be and whoever they belong to
Jane Magri Lanzon (on 26/6/08)
I have always supported PN for very obvious reasons throughout my entire life. I have never doubted about whom to give my vote.
However, this particular issue really let me down, I am sorry to say! I voted for a government in whom I have always trusted blindly. This is not the PN government I recall however. JPO must be asked to resign!! Irrespective of implications ... let us keep PN clean. What JPO was involved in might not be politically & morally correct. Facts are obvious and people are must not be undermined. The way we are treated by playing with words is an insult to our intelligence. Let us not lose what PN built in the past!!!
Maria Dolores Fenech (on 26/6/08)
@J Micallef
Why are you calling Josette Pace naive? Because she has now seen through PN's lies? Now that people have understood that the PN lied again before the election, you arrogantly start calling them names. Do not continue to insult their intelligence!
@Josette Pace
This is not the first time that the PN has lied before the election. But as the saying goes, you cannot fool all the people all the time........ I know that you will continue to remember how the PN has deliberately tried to fool people to gain their votes and will not trust them again.
@DCG
Please enlighten us if JPO is politically correct about the Mistra case. Do tell us if you too were fooled when JPO ‘cried’ that he was innocent! If I am not mistaken you told us to wait until the GA’s conclusion. Now we have it; there is not enough evidence to incriminate JPO, but the fact that the MEPA’s Auditor said that the case was corrupt, and that it was evoked, shows that Dr Sant was correct to say that the permit was issued illegally. You usually use those grey cells of yours to form a ‘sound judgment’!

A.Gauci Cunningham (on 26/6/08)
@James Formosa----I agree with you 100%................lets all realise that this is a good decision which must now be followed in other cases.....yes even those who built here and there ,while we have to work morning to night to pay our mortgages, should be seen to...though to be honest I wont hold my breath!!

..............this revocation is just one little step among the huge steps to be taken in the near future to make MEPA a decent, transparent and respectable authority

......lets not forget that up to a few days ago under a different chairmanship whenever MEPA took a decision which was frowned upon by those who have the environemt at heart we got".....no...no...MEPA is right.......no....Astrid has her agenda....boycott FAA....this permit is good "ghax ha nhawlu 4 sigar...." .

....had i been someone else i would start feeling all victorious and calling the Opposition "mahruqin" "lickeeer", and "Our Leader is the best hiii"........................but instead may I take this space to remind all and sundry that this is just the tip of the iceberg and for MEPA to suceed we need more of this and less of that!!!
M.Vella (on 26/6/08)
Dear JPO, please hang on in there for dear life to pave a clear easy way for Joseph.
effie carbonaro (on 26/6/08)
the mistra mystery affair brought to light the hatred that some people had on mr sant.one of these,Daphne Caruana Galizia,is still not convinced that Dr sant was right on these matter.daphne are we talking on the outcome of these issue or the political career of Dr .sant.we would have been more happy if you told us your opinion on jpo now because you were one who defended him staunchly when these affair blew up.then again daphne what is your opinion on jpo now
Martin Camilleri (on 26/6/08)
PN lied again because during the electoral period they accused MLP that this was a frame up.
Joe Vella (on 26/6/08)
@ Liam Kelly

Good Morning Mr. Kelly. The members in question are long gone.
M. J. Gatt (on 26/6/08)
@Mr.Daley. A very BIG thank you to GOD for saving us from inheriting the scandals within the MLP had they been elected-- Vide MLP report of past election.
Ronald Galea (on 26/6/08)
The only outstanding item for this project is the resignation of JPO from parliament. Would ever Dr Gonzi make him resign. I don't think so!! He doesn't have the guts.
Daphne Caruana Galizia (on 26/6/08)
Albert Farrugia, for heaven's sake and for your own, get out of denial. Alfred Sant destroyed his own political career through a mix of poor judgement, bad policies, lack of wisdom and an off-putting personality. He didn't need any help in that from me, the Nationalist Party or what you like to call 'the pro-PN media'. It's amazing, the lengths to which people like you will go to avoid confronting reality head on.
J Micallef (on 26/6/08)
@josette pace - pls don't be so naive. though we can never accept these irregularities, unfortunately they happen, they've happened in the past and will continue to happen. probably, next time, there's going to be a way around the rules, for sure.
the mlp can sure smell a rat - they're experts in rats!
A Farrugia was right - shall we now see mepa revising all the permits/buildings etc...? will the mlp uncover any cases of permits granted to businessmen-cum-entertainers-cum-mlp supporters-cum-'watch me help the party so that I get payback when you're in government'??? I wonder. Probably not, else it would be attacked from the (not so) left flank.
effie carbonaro (on 26/6/08)
look what came out of mudslinging.i invoke everbody to start mudslinging so that the truth will come out.mr sant thank you for your mudslinging !!!you saved from the destruction one of the most beutiful places on this little country.by god how right you were
Claire Bonello (on 26/6/08)
@ A Farrugia. You seem to be a bit confused. No-one is suggesting that JPO should hand over his land to anyone for free. He has as much right as the next person to sell it to a willing buyer for a price which they both agree upon. So that's one thing cleared up.
As for this Mistra Monopoly that you speak off, I presume that you are referring to the existent buildings and developments. Well, in every country which has planning laws to regulate development, some areas are listed as ODZ. Mistra is in fact one such area and so no development (unless in exceptional circumstances) should be allowed. The fact that there is already development there could be mean one of two things, (a) building was there before planning laws, or was one of the exceptional developments allowed, or (b) it was a wrong MEPA decision. If it was the latter, then we shouldn't be visiting more building woes on Mistra. Two wrongs don't make a right
Michael Catania (on 26/6/08)
@ Albert Farrugia
I agree with your comment about Alfred Sant 100%. The sad thing is we have people in Malta who are without an ounce of decency for the sake of holding on to power. Alfred Sant might no longer be our Mexxej but he is still of a force to be reckoned with, and hopefully the MLP administration will make full use of all his abilities.
James Formosa (on 26/6/08)
Great news. At least this matter was brought to light and the valley was saved. No lets all turn the page and look at all the other illegalities and bring them to light (not only for political gain). For example, Dr. Gonzi needs to explain why people in illegal boat houses and shanty towns earn for their illegalities while the rest of the honest folk get diddley squat. We pay for our utility bills while these guys occupy territory, get forgiven for stealing water/electricity and get away with it!!!!
Theresa Micallef (on 26/6/08)
Alfred Sant is the cleanest man in politics? Just because a permit was revoked does Mr Farrugia really think that everything Labour said and did before the elections was right? If PN should have renounced power based on one debatable permit, then Labour should never have been in power. Hear hear A. Farrugia, preaching justice for ALL, not just people in the spotlight
mario debono (on 26/6/08)
God willing, we are never short of armchair environmentalists and despicable tree-huggers in Malta. The greenery of this island is apparent not in its plant life, but in the hearts of those who because they have not, want to ruin it for someone else at all costs. Most of these are so-called environmentalists, I am afraid, and most have already done their bit to ruin the environment. Some of them even developed Sliema houses ! I don't agree with what has been done at Mistra, JPO's disco in particular. But i do question the ethics of someone who approved a much larger restaurant with outdoor area, then went to bleat hand on heart that JPO's disco permit was not assessed properly. I am referring to the MEPA Audtor here. Sir, resign! Your position is as untenables as JPO's. You saw no wrong in issuing the restaurant permit. This is NEXT DOOR to this disco? Where was the Natura assessment then? And do people know that both the disco field and the restaurant were a quarry in the 1910's ? Thats when the British used the area to build Breakwater blocks. Halluna!
L. Abela (on 26/6/08)
Well done to MEPA. Now let's hope that they revoke permissions to other discos disturbing people such as the ones at Ta' Qali and Limits of Zebbug and Rabat. Nightspots should be concentrated in partiuclar places (Paceville for example) and they should be permitted to stay open 24 hour like in all countries having tourisim as their main source of income.
A FArrugia (on 26/6/08)
Yes alas the monopoly that is present at Mistra has won. Thanks to MLP support, this monopoly has won unashamedly. Will MEPA enforce the removal of ALL buildings at Mistra please, so as to do justice with one and all? Will we see MEPA removing ALL snack bars etc,. from Mistra to see that JUSTICE is blind irrespective of who is the owner? We'll wait and see. And to all those who want JPO to give for free his land, I tell them, tell your MLP mates to hand over to MEPA or to the People of Malta all the lands they acquired during their term of office since 1971. That will be just for one and all. Hypocrits.
josette pace (on 26/6/08)
I NEVER agreed with dr sant . but for once i must admit HE WAS RIGHT! ...and i for one wont take PN s words VANGELU.....very sorry that i voted PN
Chris Colomb (on 26/6/08)
Albert Farrugia - get over it... DrSant might have been clean, wise, etc. etc. but his agenda was dull, and people want real solution/proposals. "we are much wiser now" - does it mean you were less wise when you had Dr.Sant?

J.Portellu - yes, 1 right decision from MEPA. true. this will continue to emphasise how good a leader Dr. Gonzi is.

Get over it, PN is there for the next 4 and a half years or so... and Dr Muscar is trying to reunite the party. good luck. not with such people in his fold unfortunately...
mario mifsud (on 26/6/08)
This shows the way Mepa was, and maybe still is, operating. Who was responsible for this ? The minister? No way,he has been rewarded with the MRAE ministry. So the prime minister is? Wrong again Then who is responsible...? NO ONE we live in Mickey Mouse Malta were our political leader are as pure as our drinking water (sic)
A Farrugia (on 26/6/08)
Very well. With referece to JPO scandal, both MEPA, the Police and our legal representatives tackled the environmental and legal matters respectively. But now political justice must be made. Dear Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando:
The writing is on the wall. Do what Joe Saliba urged you to do. Resign. If you will not resign, then we all expect the Prime Minister to shoulder and assume all responsability.
Joseph Aquilina (on 26/6/08)
I wonder how PN continued pushing with these investigations even after they won the elections. If they where half as much corrupt as some people say they are then they would have definitely stopped the investigations by now and issued another permit to double ... triple ... quadruplicate the size of the disco at Mistra! However that did not happen right? Maybe the PN are not that much of a bad option after all!
E. Azzopardi (on 26/6/08)
Leave politics for politicians and those who deserve to be punished should be punished. Justice should not only be done but ''seen'' to be done. The people are not morons. This is about our country and its beauty and those who wanted to exploit it and gain from it. Shameful, irresponsible and unacceptable. But some cannot see it. Thank God this came out before this piece of land was ruined.
Aimee Fenech (on 26/6/08)
I'm sorry but I don't agree with Joseph Dalli or Mr. Costa

JPO shouldn't give up his any of his personal assets at all.....the court found no case against him whatsoever

His name has been cleared, he is under no obligation to do or say anything on the subject
Wilfrid Buttigieg (on 26/6/08)
Well done Malta ENVIRONMENT and planning authority. This is an example of practicing the Mepa role as it should be practiced. Looking forward to the day when we can be proud of the planning authority which conserves nature for the future generations.
Manuel Mifsud (on 26/6/08)
Permit revoked: that means Labour was right!
Permit given: that means there is corruption!
Can you give us a break please?!
A Daley (on 26/6/08)
Let us all thank God that PN inherited their own scandals, National Debt, Financial disasters, Deceit, and disillusioned society.

Who is having the last laugh now?
Godwin Dalli (on 26/6/08)
I concur with Joseph P. Costa's idea.
Liam Kelly (on 26/6/08)
finally its all over....who's head will roll for this, let's see some action here to ensure that the people responsible at the Development Control Commission are sacked immediately.
Joseph P. Costa (on 26/6/08)
JPO should now donate that piece of land at Mistra to Din l-Art Helwa or some other environmental organization. That might just stir the hearts of the 400,000 Maltese to absolve him of his sins..
Albert Farrugia (on 26/6/08)
Yes, Labour was right! But the electoral winning machine that is the PN managed to retain power nonetheless! And the smear campaign against Dr Alfred Sant worked wonders. But they will be in deep trouble if they try the same dirty tricks against Joe Muscat. We are much the wiser now. The PN should congratulate themselves for managing to destroy the political career of one of the cleanest persons ever to have dared go on the Maltese political stage, Dr Alfred Sant.
J Portelli (on 26/6/08)
FINALLY! One right decission from MEPA!!
C Calleja (on 26/6/08)
So after all Labour was right !

Poll

Have the proposed power tariffs affected your use of electricity and water?

  • yes
  • no
  • don't know
  • don't care


View results

Fun Stuff


Play Sudoku