Mepa accused of issuing permit fraudulently

Three couples residing in Madliena filed legal action against the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) calling for the revocation of a development permit in the locality on the basis that it had been issued fraudulently.

Paul and Anna Maria Camilleri, Carmel and Maria Theresa Falzon and Carmelo and Alison Farrugia filed their application against Mepa and Madliena Village Ltd.

The couples told the First Hall of the Civil Court that Madliena Village Ltd was developing a project in Fortress Road, which was adjacent to their homes. The project was to take place in a zone indicated by Mepa in its North Harbour Local Plan as an area reserved for detached and semi-detached buildings which did not exceed two stories.

According to the couples, the project was to bring about a density of construction that exceeded the limits imposed by the Structure Plan. Consequently, the works carried out by Madliena Village Ltd in terms of the permit issued by Mepa were in violation of their rights.

They told the court that the development permits issued to Madliena Village Ltd were in violation of Mepa policy and had been issued through fraud

The court was requested to declare that the permits had been issued fraudulently and to order their revocation. It was also requested to order Mepa and Madliena Village Ltd to make good the damages they had sustained.