Mepa postpones Mosta 'bungalows' decision

A decision on a permit for a series of reservoirs-turned-"bungalows" in Mosta has been postponed again after the planning authority asked the owners to apply again. The authority asked the owners to file fresh applications for sanctioning, this time listing the correct description of the properties, which were previously described as "pumps, stables and water reservoirs".

Owners of four fields had originally filed applications in 2006 to build stables and agricultural reservoirs in an area known as Ħbuliet Moni, where only agricultural-related forms of development are allowed. But after the applications were approved, the authority was alerted that structures had been turned into little pretty bungalows, complete with lawns and terraces. Enforcement notices were issued and the developers submitted applications to sanction the irregular structures.

However, in their application, they did not ask for the sanctioning of what had effectively become dwellings but insisted on defining them as pump rooms, stables and reservoirs.

After the board saw for itself the bungalows during an onsite inspection, it decided to postpone any decision on the sanctioning before the owners change the description.

Previously, the board had already postponed its decision when it decided to inspect the site.

Environmental NGO Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, which had alerted the authorities about the irregularities, pointed out that the whole sanctioning process should have been stopped over a year ago.

FAA spokesman Astrid Vella expressed her amazement that the case officer did not give a true description of the irregularities in his report. "Although it is clear that Mepa's new chairman is set on changing things, he is not being backed by all the staff," Ms Vella said.