Juan Ameen
Mepa to decide today on bungalows without permits
A "reservoir" turned pretty dwelling which the planning authority has to decide whether to sanction today.
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority is today expected to decide whether to sanction a number of bungalows on the outskirts of Mosta whose owners had only applied to build reservoirs on the land.
In recent days, members of one of Mepa's boards have inspected the sites in person. The authority was meant to decide on the matter last Wednesday but postponed the decision for another week to allow the inspections to take place.
The owners of the four fields had originally filed applications in 2006 to build stables and agricultural reservoirs in an area known as Ħbuliet Moni, where planning laws only allow this sort of development.
But after the applications were approved, the authority was alerted that the reservoirs, stables and pump rooms had been turned into small bungalows complete with lawns and terraces. Enforcement notices were issued and the developers submitted applications to sanction the irregular structures.
NGO Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar has had its eyes on the project and even commissioned a consultant to review the permits.
When contacted yesterday the consultant, Amadeo Mifsud, stressed that the authority had to be more careful with certain applications, especially those outside development zones, as were these.
"If someone applies to construct a water reservoir, Mepa should question where the water is going to come from," he said.
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Tonio Mercieca
Dec 18th 2008, 09:28
I have gone through all the comments and all are against MEPA sanctioning these developments.
It is all a matter of principal ,as John citizen who does not dare to defy the law will never get a chance to own one of these properties as what now is worth about 25,000 euros will become worth over 250,000 euros just by the stroke of a pen!!
martin saliba
Dec 17th 2008, 17:42
They have to be demolished! When things like this happen one cannot be blamed for assuming or thinking that hand outs had taken place. The only way not to raise probale unfounded suspicion is to fine the developers and have them stick to what is written on their permit.
CE Agius
Dec 17th 2008, 15:30
@D Vella.
Untill culprits find a Saint, then we start again disputing facts - never ending story - POOR MALTA and the Maltese. Break the laws and you'll be rewarded.
SHAME
D Vella
Dec 17th 2008, 14:32
@ I Galea . . .
one small correction there . . . the vast majority of these people are NOT speculators but normal people and even farmers with aspirations above their station . . . it is a common ruse for a so-called 'farmer' to apply for and obtain a permit for a reservoir and an agricultural room outside the development zone but what actually gets built in several cases is another story altogether . . . That place in the photograph is a case in point, there are hundreds of others and none of them belong to speculators. It is understandable to want to point to speculators and development sharks for their unbridled lust of development and profit at any cost but one must realise that everybody is guilty . . . it is an indisputable fact that most infringements and illegal developments are carried out by ordinary people that do not fall into the category of speculators. Maybe it is time that legal provisions are put into place to hand out stiff fines to the Periti that were responsible for obtaining the permits that were used as a cover for these illegal developments!!
J Axisa
Dec 17th 2008, 13:57
What distinguishes the people who can break the law from the people who can't. If these bungalows are sanctioned, why not everything else?
Joseph Cauchi
Dec 17th 2008, 13:11
How can one even conceive the thought of MEPA considering what action to take?
It is crystal clear and so obvious.
Everyone has to abide by the laws of the country.
No exceptions.
Period.
It is a well-known fact that most of the illegal constructions are eventually sanctioned by MEPA .
So such abusers are in fact rewarded for their illegal actions.
Who said that "Crime Does Not Pay" ?
In Malta it does.
../..
lgalea
Dec 17th 2008, 10:06
There should not even be any consideration at all.
How many washrooms had to be rebuilt simply because they were a course or half a course higher or exceeded the given dimensions by a few inches?
Why should speculators have their illegal developments sanctioned when lesser mortals have to bring down everything if they exceed the measurements even by a couple of inches?
D Vella
Dec 17th 2008, 09:33
This is a no-brainer!!! Why is MEPA even bothering to refer such applications to the Board?? Such illegal abuses should be refused outright and the perpetrators given thirty days to remove the infringement ! ! ! Why should some abusers who have broken the law have the right to enjoy an illegally built bungalow outside the development zone when the rest of us are expected to comply with permit conditions or face enforcement action??