'Blame government for valley development'

The Labour Party described comments made by Nationalist Party European Parliamentary candidate Alan Deidun on Wied il-Għasel as shocking and exposing the government's hypocrisy when it approved the local plan for Mosta.

Labour spokesman Roderick Galdes said Dr Deidun was either ill-informed or wanted to deceive by blaming someone else to cover up for the PN.

Last week, Dr Deidun said the authorities should revoke the permit for the construction of new apartments in the valley under article 39 A (1) of the Development Planning Act. The law, he had said, had already been invoked to revoke permits in the case of two controversial projects: the outline permit for the controversial outdoor disco in Mistra and for the Ramla l-Ħamra development in Gozo.

The article allows the authority to change or revoke a permit on grounds of fraud, public safety or "where there is an error on the face of the record which offends the law".

Dr Deidun had argued that the permit should be revoked because the developer did not indicate the girna in his plans. In addition, no development notice was displayed on site, as required by law, he said.

Mr Galdes said Dr Deidun seemed to have forgotten or conveniently wanted to make others forget the government's decision to interfere in the planning process to extend the development scheme without carrying out the necessary studies.

He said Dr Deidun also forgot to refer to the government's approval of development in outside development zones on the eve of the general election.

"If this Nationalist candidate wants to be credible and consistent he should condemn his party in government and the planning authority, which falls under the responsibility of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, for their participation in the destruction of Wied Il-Għasel in Mosta instead of blaming someone else," Mr Galdes said.