Bahrija controversy: PN president seeks MEPA, police investigations

Ivan Attard

Jun 17th 2009, 18:41

Lawrence Gonzi has to answer for his inefficient and haphazard way of controlling MEPA and for the procrastination in the long awaited reforms! In the meantime whole swathes of natural areas disappear to the speculator and are consigned under concrete and mortar! Traditional villages especially in Gozo (ECO Island remember?) like Ghasri, Ghammar and Gharb are raped and distorted out of recognition. I invite anyone to visit these gems of rural villages to witness the scandal that Gonzi has allowed them to become with 3 floors and a penthouse everywhere. SHAME on this most sacrilegious act and we may as well start bidding farewell to foreign residents who had fallen in love with them!

charles zammit

Jun 17th 2009, 13:23

even without one knowing the whereabouts of this site the above photo speaks for itself. if we take the pn president's words for it and apparently not to put undue pressure on mepa personnel the permit was signed in his wife's maiden name then those who gave their yes vote should be held criminally liable for the rape of this valley......but you can fool some people some of the time, but you cannot fool all the people all of the time hence a majority against the government of over 110000 people.................

Richard Galea

Jun 17th 2009, 10:52

Even the thought to build in such a place is disgusting, least alone submit an application to MEPA for a building permit. I would apply for my resignation, before being asked to, from the post of president of the political party that preaches that it is the protector of the enviroment.

Raphael Dingli

Jun 17th 2009, 09:14

invevestigations and their outcomes will not change perceptions. It all about perceptions. Get it?

Ernest Vella

Jun 16th 2009, 22:18

MLP/PL puts its nose only were votes are available...disgusting...are they investigating other cases or just PN permits

Galea. L

Jun 16th 2009, 09:45

J Martinelli
You are the typical PN apologist who tries to defend the indefensible, in this case an ILLEGAL development since the building is in an ODZ OUTSIDE DEVELOPMENT ZONE.

J. Schembri

Jun 16th 2009, 05:31

@ Nardu Bonello:
I've been through MEPA once and I can tell you I dread the thought of going throgh the process again.
There is quite a big heap of stone: there was a building.There is a new building in the background.
Mepa has a rule that the footprint of the building can increase by 25%.
If ANYONE goes by what we are seeing and by what we know , Victor Scerri is doing what others are doing in our countryside.
Is it right to build at the bottom of Bahrija valley? Maybe not , but MEPA cannot go back from its decision especially when the previous rooms were demolished on agreement that another building is erected.
If it were John Citizen he would have got the permit after a tortuous process and PL,Ramblers and Astrid would have made no hullabaloo about it. These guardians of the environment wanted to make another JPO case during the MEP elections .It was going to boomerang because of a worse case by an PL MPwho is building his illegal high walls around his new country-house in Siggiewi while our guardians of the environment are turning a blind eye.

Paul Borg

Jun 16th 2009, 04:59

Why is there a house with a agte blocking access to the entire area of Fomm ir-Rih. This is a far greater scandal then building a house to replace an older dilapidated one. I was embarrassed when I was in the area on a recent visit to Malta for a tour guide with a large number of foreign visitors in self drive "jeeps" having to tell his group that they could go no further than the top of the cliff pointing to the path down to the beach clearly blocked off by a "private property" gate with a massive house standing out like a wen on an otherwise magnificent natural feature. Who was allowed to steal this geographic gem from the Maltese people and why? When will "people power" forcibly take it back if the courts and/or the civil authorities won't. I can attest to the fact that once that entire area was public property with untrammelled public access. I learnt to swim at that beach when I was 8..

Joseph V. Grech

Jun 15th 2009, 23:03

@ J. Martinelli - It is very true that in the past many mistakes and abuses were committed. But those excesses were I believe well and truly paid for, if not by the actual perpetrators, certainly by the parties which unfortunately failed to rein them in.
But two, five, ten wrongs do NOT make a right. I entreat you to forget the wrongs that happenened decades ago and to live the present - keener to ensure that similar wrongs do not happen yet again. Which unfortunately they keep on remorselessly happening as you very well know. No need to refer to specific cases...just read the papers and listen to the news.
Please put Malta's interests at the top of your agenda...see the light. I believe that it is wrong to obstruct the people's call for good governance simply by harking back to the wrongs that were committed in the past! I sincerely hope you will take this advice in the right spirit.

Mark de Gray

Jun 15th 2009, 21:37

VIVA il Mepa - let anyone go and apply for a permit close to that site - than we will see on what basis one can destroy the last of our valleys

Maria brincat

Jun 15th 2009, 21:23

Can someone explain to me how a very old building had the approval for demolition and built something new instead?? I have an unconverted farmhouse and the reply from mepa was that i could not demolish the building but have to CONVERT it.

Joseph V. Grech

Jun 15th 2009, 18:29

I believe that the Mepa Board which gave the go-ahead to this despicable application for development (sic!) - despite the objections of Mepa's own case officers - need to explain their action. Such irresponsible and inefficient part-timers should be removed - never to return to Mepa structures! P.M. please note. The Minister for Mepa will also do well to heed the objections of the people. Bahrija Valley should come before all else. Gonzi should give a good talking to to both Victor Scerri and Perit Musumeci. Shame on them both. If that permit is allowed and the building goes up it will be an affront not just to our environment but also to citizen feelings and beliefs. The P.N. should not risk such an eventuality! If that building goes up - it should also come down.

J Martinelli

Jun 15th 2009, 17:20

"The old Marsascala bypass, which is currently being dug up and rebuilt, has entire stretches that were built directly on agricultural soil... just a few inches of asphalt separated the top surface from... fields". This was reported in another English newspaper.

Typical Socialist solutions. One wonders who issued the permits, whose land was expropriated, who the architects were, under what minister such a scandal was permitted to go on, who the contractors were and what kind of supervision was in place then? And those were the years when the 'government was in total control....almost dictatorial'?

These are the investigations which also should take place and the public fully informed, along with MEPA permits, issued eight years ago, when all the conditions were met and the applicant complied with existing regulations.

The LP apologists should also comment on the contents of http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2002/0519/report190502.pdf This link was provided by Mr. Formosa in a similar comment below.

Dr Francis Saliba

Jun 15th 2009, 16:25

@AnthonyFarrugia et al

It should not be necessary for me to emphasize that I believe that equal treatment by MEPA is the right of every citizen irrespective of his political affiliation. I mentioned a long membership of the PN not in expectation of some special consideration but as one possible explanation for the recent protest votes against the PN.

Nardu Bonello

Jun 15th 2009, 16:19

@ John Schembri
Almost wrote you're one in a million - but that would be exaggerated. But you're definitely one of a minority becoming extinct who is always ready to apologise for the PN's wrong-doings and trying to justify what's unjustifiable.

Paul micallef

Jun 15th 2009, 16:14

@Edwin formosa

Do two wrongs in your eyes, make one right????? God rest his soul, Lorry sant did a lot of things that only did damage to the image of the MLP of the time, but to all PN appologists,
do you think that this kind of behavouir does not merit any investigation??are these people above the law?? are we suppose to think that always the Labour is wrong because it is run by DEMONS and the PN is run by ANGLES???some comments need reflection others do not, but it is not fair to all that when somebody high up( PL or PN) get away with what they want.

joanna farrugia

Jun 15th 2009, 15:36

@j martinelli you keep mentioning mlp past but seems that you dont mention pn at all.of course they are saints right martinelli?

Joe Galea

Jun 15th 2009, 15:33

Where is Alan "Ghal Ambjent Ahjar" and his flag waving?

Gonzi Par Idejn Sodi has promised us a reform in MEPA...but he is waiting that his friends of friends build whatever they want, then maybe he starts thinking about it.

salvu calleja

Jun 15th 2009, 15:30

Hallina Xbin!!!!. This is no matter of legality but a matter of credibility go and ask those who had there's refused and if you would like to know what's the citizen voice just contest an election and you will surely get the answer. I think that we the stupid guys knows very well how the game is played,"I THINK"

Joe Cassar

Jun 15th 2009, 15:27

@ Mr Edwin Formosa

The (M)LP expelled Lorry Sant - and he was only accepted back as an act of mercy when it became known he had only months to live.

Has the PN ever taken similar action against the wrongdoers in its ranks?

Michael Seychell

Jun 15th 2009, 14:16

To all - especially Environemental Groups.

Let me start by saying that pliticians of whichever party ther belong, must ensure that whatever they do is not only according to the laws of the copuntry,. but is also ethically correct - and this has been said without referring to this case in particular or to any other case/s

Sometimes I wonder whether all this spin is part of the 'DESTROY GONZI CAMPAIGN' created intelligently by the Labour Party and suppoprted by certain PN elements, as well as other who have been invited to join the Joe Muscat Caolation. Joe Muscat knows that unless he 'breaks' Dr Gonzi he cannot win the general election in 4 years time

I will be convinced that this is not so when the environemental groups bring forward and start talking about what is happening in Gozo. I am saying this because I am one of those who adhere to the values of what is good for the goose is good for the gander, and against the principle of two weights two measures.

Fenech M D

Jun 15th 2009, 14:06

Another scandal ala JPO. Some MPs on the government benches appear to be going out of their way to undermine their boss, and now it's time for the President of the PN to demand things for himself.

Il-messagg li bghat il-poplu fis-6 ta' Gunju milli jidher diga intesa!

Steve Rogers

Jun 15th 2009, 13:42

@M. Brincat

Yes, lets here from Deidun. He used to highlight the plight in that area as the Green WhistleBlower. I doubt he will do the same as the Blue Flagbearer.

edwin formosa

Jun 15th 2009, 13:37

THE GOOD OLD DAYS :-Lorry Sant’s reaction was instantaneous: " A teapot.This is not what I expected. Get me Lm25,000, if you do not wish me to kick you off your site. You have aweek."
Lorry Sant told Joe Pace that he wanted Lm130,000 for the plots at Fgura. Strangely, Mid Med bankaccepted the 23 plots as a guarantee for the loan. See http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2002/0519/report190502.pdf

P.Cassar

Jun 15th 2009, 13:16

This means that Dr. V Scerri is going on with the development. That Dr Gonzi is conspicuous by his absence and staying out of this muddle is doing him a lot of harm. What I'm sure of is that if I had put in the application I would have been refused and rightly so. But Mepa is always strong with weak and weak with the strong.
Dr Scerri is impressing nobody by saying that that no law was broken. BEING A LAWYER HE KNOWS THAT LAW AND JUSTICE DO NOT LIVE IN THE SAME STREET AND HE IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF IT. THE MOMENT HE RETREATS HE BECOMES BIGGER BUT IF NOT IT IS REALLY A SHAME.

J Martinelli

Jun 15th 2009, 13:01

@ Dr. Francis Saliba

Fair comment, doctor. It is a situation like this one which the NP should look at with great fairness and objectivity. It remains to be seen whether the party will wait until it stagnates on the opposition benches before it comes to its senses.

With regard to Dr. Scerri, let the investigations go ahead and arrive at a conclusion one way or another. What the investigations will not find however is that Dr. Scerri's land was 'donated' or sold to him at a 'preferred' price at the whim of a minister of decades ago.

On the other hand, Dr. Scerri should have been quite conscious that a move like his could cause the leader of the Opposition to squawk about it in order to gain a few political points which in the short term may help but in the longer term it will be one more hollow bark which will not do him any good. Cry wolf is LP's specialty.

It's about time the NP starts to fight fire with fire and expose the largess, corruption and favouritism practiced for many years under a Socialist administration such as requisitioning properties and converting them into Labour clubs.

p agius

Jun 15th 2009, 12:55

Who cares about the crab (IL-QABRU)?!?!?!?!....Mr.Deidun, Can we have you views pls....

C.Formosa

Jun 15th 2009, 12:52

Dr Scerri,
If by your own admission, buildings approved on ODZ,"is done regularly", then this is wrong.
If someone in your position cannot see this then it is sad.
Even sadder that you would take advantage of it.
The recent scandal in the UK parliament did not involve illegalities but lack of ethics.
For once I fully concur with Dr Saliba's observations.
Mike Micallef, you are right that we need better institutions and enforcement.
That is the duty of this government which I have voted for, and of which Dr Scerri is president.

Anthony Farrugia

Jun 15th 2009, 12:47

@Dr Francis Saliba:"Is it not enough to be an honest ordinary citizen of Malta and an old member of the PN? Must one be the actual president of the PN?"
So "an old member of the PN" is like the Karta Anzjan and enough to put an application in the fast lane for approval! But "an old member of the PN" is much lower in the pecking order than the actual President of the PN ( or his wife using her maiden name for that matter!).
Why is the PN so intent in digging its own grave?

Bjorn Bonello

Jun 15th 2009, 12:44

Can't anyone see this is not the way to debate.Politics has nothing to do with is.It is the inadequacy of the decision takers (owning to the lack of planning background - both academic and experience), and this has been recognised by government, who I'm sure will address the issue in the upcoming reform (hopefully through the recognition of the planning profession). Probably none of the people (alas I'm guilt of this too) commenting have seen the plans (existing and proposed).In truth there would be no inconsistency in judgment by the regulator had it approved the rehabilitation/restoration of the existing dwelling, but if it approved a replacement building, is much larger than the existing and had all the frills resulting in an indelible visual impact, amongst others, that would be a different ball game altogether.As a person that staunchly believes in the principles MEPA should stand for, I have only commented because I'm deeply saddened by such events and public outrage that only induces fear in MEPA resulting in discriminatory decisions or rush decisions such a blanket prohibition of ODZ development, risking to ruin the viability of a very important sector such as agriculture.Lets not fuel divide but seek balance.

Joe Fenech

Jun 15th 2009, 12:37

More scandals, from the never-ending string of development scandals MEPA ha been involved in!

Astrid Vella

Jun 15th 2009, 12:34

@ J Busuttil : The fact that this permit was recommended for refusal FOUR times by the MEPA Case officer shows that it is very unacceptable, since the permit violates over 16 MEPA regulations. This is just one of the Case Officer comments:“the safeguards that seek to protect the environment against urban sprawl are being bypassed through a succession of piecemeal applications, resulting in a development that is by far in excess of the originally envisaged reconstruction of existing structures with vey minor alteration to facilitate use.”

Remember that we are not talking about just any countryside site here. This is a Special Area of Conservation, due to the endangered species on the spot. It's a Natura 2000 site and even an archaeological zone.

FAA repeats that it is not against bona-fide development in the countryside for real agricultural facilities or genuine and sensitive restoration of farmhouses. However this is not the case here.

M. Brincat

Jun 15th 2009, 12:30

Let's hear what MEP candidate Alan Deidun has to say on this matter!!!!!

laurence schembri

Jun 15th 2009, 12:18

@ J. Busuttil
Going by your argument, there will no Motoways, Autobahns, Autostradas and Highways to accommodate today`s traffic. Imagine driving to Marsascala the old way through Zabbar. I wonder what we will find beneath Mriehel By-pass if we have to dig it up today.
Have you not noticed the patching-up on these supposed to be new roads. You are always ready to have a dig and you make a fool of yourself.

jesmond zammit

Jun 15th 2009, 12:15

din mhux kontroversja dan skandlu .allura issa min ghandu art hemm ghandu dritt jibni ghandi nifhem ghax nispera li kif jaghtu l wiehed jaghtu l hadd iehor u nigu b wied mibni only in malta. tajjeb il pm jekk hu "in office and in power "iwaqqaf dan il bini

A Galea

Jun 15th 2009, 12:10

@ J Busuttil: Just shows how much roads your GONZIPN did in his time, if there are roads last done by labour governments of the 80's. You seem to forget controversies such as Busietta Gardens, Hotels being made in undeveloped sites, houses, farmhouses of certain 'friends' of this government having all the permits in supposedly undeveloped sites, but Mr Busuttil wanted to defend his government by telling us of a road. Sad indeed...

J. Schembri

Jun 15th 2009, 12:08

In the background there's a residence , where were the ramblers and Astrid?
If I were Dr Scerri I would have sued MEPA for political discrimination if I were not granted a permit..
Can we see how the previous building looked like and how it will look after the job is completed.?

Tony Caruana

Jun 15th 2009, 12:00

@ j busutill

X'GHANDU X'JAQSAM MA DAN L'ARGUMENT ?. HU TE BIL LUMI SIEHBI HALLI IHOOSOK AHJAR.

Dr Francis Saliba

Jun 15th 2009, 12:00

Could someone in authority please explain by what twist of logic MEPA approves a whole "new residence to replace an old dilapidated buiding" and at the same time issue stop and enforcement notices and refuse an application to carry out the urgent repair of a life-threatening collapsing roof over a small old structure for which government has been collecting rent for decades and which appears on MEPA's own official site plans for forty years? Is it not enough to be an honest ordinary citizen of Malta and an old member of the PN? Must one be the actual president of the PN?

J Busuttil

Jun 15th 2009, 11:53

Now for some people LEGALITY is ILLEGALITY. Dr Scerri is 100 per cent right to ask the police and Mepa to investigate. But illegality is coming out by the digging of Marsascala by pass. Agricultural SOIL burried under the asphalt. The old road was done under a LABOUR administration and they have to answer for this.

J.Borg

Jun 15th 2009, 11:50

Who is saying Victor Scerri made undue pressure.......everyone is saying that MEPA was wrong in issuing this permit from the beginning....

This is just smoke screen from Victor Scerri........

Mepa auditor should investigate and say if this permit should have been issued or not...that's the point Mr.Scerri

philip pace

Jun 15th 2009, 11:47

I find this whole thing as a sad charade, an exercise of bad taste.
Dr.Scerri is not that convincing as due to his position he has more doors opening to his 'legal and rightful cause' than to the very ordinary Joe Citizen.
Persons who are DIRECTLY involved in politics should know by now that whatever they do they are scruntized by the public, therefore whatever they have do to do has to be more clean than clean.
Due to the repetitive bungling of his party, his leader, JPO , all the 'mistake' that happened in the past under a PN Government where devolpment has taken place (the list is getting longer more than Pinocchio's nose) the public is more certain than ever that these people cannot be trusted anymore.
Someone has to pay the price and with the silly 'democracy' that we have it is only Joe Citizen who is paying HEAVILY for these more than equal citizens.
I'm sorry Dr.Scerri you seem to be infected by one of the negative traits that is quite evident in the Government which is LOSS OF CREDIBILTY.
The damage has been done already.
Very sad for Malta!

Lilian Bonello

Jun 15th 2009, 11:47

And yet another MEPA scandal involving the PN hierarchy. No wonder the promised changes in MEPA are taking ages to be made public. And no wonder some people lie through their teeth to make sure "their" party remains in office.

Muscat.Pat

Jun 15th 2009, 11:41

Another environmental milestone by GonziPN. Perhaps Scerri should join Pullicino Orland and apply for the green politician of the year FOR 2009 BEFORE ITS TOO LATE! Under Gonzi "PJACIRI MHUX DRITTIJIET"

Bjorn Bonello

Jun 15th 2009, 11:41

Again we are missing the wood for the trees.The applicant of this and many other similar developments in ODZ, have no blame.It is the regulator who has failed miserably for whatever reason.I wouldn't be too quick to cry foul.Decision takers just don't have any knowledge of the subject they are deliberation on.In other cases applications have been refused for simply thinning the inner walls from 4ft to 2ft , despite the existing structure was kept intact.Let us not forget that the application was overturned by a MEPA board that had resigned over a similar incident, so we shouldn't pick on the applicant but on the regulator, who has a duty to see that decisions are consistent, transparent and in keeping with the broad principles of planning policy.LET US GIVE PLANNING TO QUALIFIED PLANNERS!!

Joe Morana

Jun 15th 2009, 11:40

Tell it to the marines. If the Police did not proceed further in the glaring case of JPO about the Mistra development in spite of damning evidence given in court, why and how could anybody expect any different in this Bahrija development.

J.Spiteri

Jun 15th 2009, 11:15

' the new residence would replace an old dilapidated building.' Would it occupy the same area (square metres), or will it be an expanded luxurious "farmhouse' , complete with garages and a pool? Kif jghid il - Malti, bil - flus taghmel triq fil - bahar !

laurence schembri

Jun 15th 2009, 11:11

Smoke -screen. The police cannot find anyone guilty for rape of ecological and fertile land.

Mike Micallef

Jun 15th 2009, 11:09

It seems as if some people consider themselves above the legally set up institutions of this country. MEPA and the police are looking into this, so why the mob rule approach again by those fundamentalistically inclined people who think they know better and are holier and cleaner than everybody else? Let us fight for better institutions, for better laws and for better enforcement, but not at the expense of individuals who are more exposed due to a part of their life being public. this is yet another case of a public person being found guilty by insinuation and innuendo.

John Vella

Jun 15th 2009, 10:58

That site is the only part in Malta, that lives the fresh water crab in Malta (IL-QABRU), few metres away from develpoment. Shame on MEPA to give permission for that develpoment!!! Where is Naturetrust? Where are the PRO-Environement organizsations?

D. Xerri

Jun 15th 2009, 10:58

X` dizastru ambjentali !! Ghalina u Ghall-Uliedna - IVA FLIMKIEN bejnietna tal-qalba KOLLOX POSSIBBLI.

C Calleja

Jun 15th 2009, 10:57

Who said there was undue pressure by Scerri ?

The permit is just scandalous because its ruining a Natura 2000 site. The case officers recommended refusal more than once and the board approved the permit. That's the point Dr Scerri.

Your responsibility is political. You cant preach about safeguarding the environment and than act otherwise.

Anthony Schembri Adami

Jun 15th 2009, 10:46

All for the common good???

Astrid Vella

Jun 15th 2009, 10:44

The NGOs are not saying that this is necessarily a case for the police. By making a show of inviting the police Mr. Scerri is not impressing anyone. The MEPA system is set up with systematic loopholes to allow certain permits through with an appearance of legality. This does not mean that they are above board, simply that the abuse is institutionalised.

In fact several people in far less sensitive parts of Bahrija have been refused permits for far less damaging works, like simply converting a window to a door.

All those who are sick of MEPA's inconsistency, and 'strong with the weak, weak with the strong' approach, are invited to join Ramblers, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, NatureTrust and MOAM in a protest walk at Bahrija, meeting in the main square (by the swings) next Thursday at 6.30pm. Free transport is being provided from Rabat by the Roman Villa from 5.30 to 6.15 and back after the event.

Keith Buhagiar

Jun 15th 2009, 10:34

Without devling into whether any irregularities were involved, will any attemps be made to ratify the harm, already done, to such an ecologicaly sensitive site?

A Azzopardi

Jun 15th 2009, 10:33

So it is said that "the new residence would replace an old dilapidated building". Does it therefore mean that past mistakes in planning are never corrected. Similarly if an area is disturbed this is sometimes reason enough to allow development. Is MEP unable to be far-sighted and and return the disturbed area to its previous condition? Do Din l-Art Helwa and Heritage Malta not have any position on such issues? I am sure they will find much backing if they speak out.

Tony Caruana

Jun 15th 2009, 10:27

As if anybody is going to believe them !!

David Zarb

Jun 15th 2009, 10:23

It's very easy for Victor Scerri to see whether he is in line with any legal issues, but political honesty and ethical behvaviour requires much more than that. We all know the tactics now. First they check and make sure that they are not breaking any legal rules, then they invite the commissioner, nothing which breaks the law is found, and then they go out there yelling "you see? nothing is wrong, the PL is lying"... but in reality, Victor Scerri knows that he is acting ethically WRONG!....
A simple question to Victor Scerri: Why did you apply for the MEPA permit on behalf of your wife? and with her maiden surname? Can you explain us please?? !!! if there wasn't anything wrong?? !!! Shame on GonziPN and his team

g. scerri

Jun 15th 2009, 10:23

"The lower part near the water course will be rehabilitated." Is that an attempt to buy off criticism or a sop to a guilty conscience? Considering what has been surreptitiously going on in the area for quite some time, Victor Scerri might have some reason to complain that anybody else might not have been singled out. On the other hand, a man in his position carries the burden of having to appear squeaky clean.