Bahrija development - NGOs warn of two tier society

Rodnick Abdilla

Jun 18th 2009, 19:06

PAR Idejn tal karti gew min sodi ta GONZIPN, imnalla hada huwa il mepa f idejh

Ray Sultana

Jun 18th 2009, 10:19

Fort Cambridge, the site of the former Mistra Village, JPO's Mistra site, 75 Windsor Terrace, the destruction of Wied il-Ghasel, the destruction planned at Qala and now Bahrija... the list of environmental disasters grows by the day.

What happened dear Prime Minister to your pleas in favour of the environment and your commitment to stamp out development in ODZs?

Maybe before blurting out statements you should have a nice little discussion with senior members of your own party.

James A. Tyrrell

Jun 17th 2009, 20:23

Yes Astrid, as Joe Morana said very well said and keep up the good work. If I was in Malta at the moment I would be on the March with you all.

Anna Siteri

Jun 17th 2009, 20:22

10 years from now, our children will question why we allowed such environmental crimes to go on ....and why most of us stayed silent!

We thank people like Astrid who puts her actions where her heart is. She deserves our support.

we will be there tomorrow..and hope others will think of thier children and grandchildren and also be there.

Anna Spiteri

A. Mizzi

Jun 17th 2009, 18:49

One who condones evils is just as guilty as the one who perpetrates it. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Joe Morana

Jun 17th 2009, 17:08

Well said Astrid.
Keep up the good work.
I beleive that this Bahrija building permit demonstrates MEPA's insensitivity to safeguard what is left of Malta's natural heritage , furthermore undermining in the process the Government's environment protection credentials. Shame.

Josephy V. Grech

Jun 17th 2009, 16:47

Well said Ms. Astrid Vella. The pity is that PN / PL diehards seem to be offended the minute an abuse is pin-pointed and environmentalists / other citizens register their concern and criticism. I appeal to every Maltese, irrespective of political party allegiance to please always put the interest of our dwindling environment up front. Our leaders NEED to act in the same manner. National interests before nepotism, etc. This is a genuine appeal not propaganda. Let us all defend our environment for our kids to enjoy. We cannot afford to continue ruining it.
If Mr. Victor Scerri indeed has a case may he receive financial compensation - but he needs to understand that building his farmhouse on that sacred spot simply does not make sense. Come on man - do what needs to be done...and your children will admire you for it! handsomely

Joe camilleri

Jun 17th 2009, 16:40

If this is a Natura2000 site (like the ghadra nature reserve), how come we did not hear anything from BirdLife Malta, or they do not want to step on 'some' people's toes.

It is good to note that the FKNK issued a press release but it still haven't been published here.

Charles Micallef

Jun 17th 2009, 16:39

Whilst I appreciate that we should all have equal rights to apply for any building permit, however if I was in such a sensitive position, I would think twice about who they are going to embarrass before applying to built on such a sensitive parcel of land.

Does this not echo the Mistra - JPO scandal?

If reported correctly, this application was turned out 4 times, so why keep pushing one's luck?

I thought it went with one's job, not to try and embarrass one's colleagues!

Astrid Vella

Jun 17th 2009, 16:24

@ Mike Micallef, R Mangion and M Sciberras: so you are expecting NGOs, with no staff or resources to do the work that MEPA is being paid 16 million euros a year to do, protecting the environment? Maybe all three of you would be happy to enroll with us to dedicate your time monitoring 300 new applications a week that we have no way of keeping up with?

@ Mike Micallef - you are forgetting that this was not 1, but 4 permits refused and then approved by the DCC. Also not just any ODZ but a Grade 1 scheduled Natura 2000 site.Can it get any worse than that?

@ J Farrugia, I assure you there is no partisan agenda behind this. I emphasised at the press conference how architects MPs on BOTH SIDES OF THE HOUSE are obtaining these abusive permits and encouraging more abuse, a fact which reflects very poorly on both the main parties.

George Saliba

Jun 17th 2009, 16:14

Why all this fuss? We need to reform MEPA or better still do away with MEPA. I think in order to attract long term residents who will leave millions of euros we need to build up everywhere. One of the best locations, that has the sun all year round a nice breeze is those stones at Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, they would make wonderful apartments and the developers will make a killing.

Keep it up MEPA!!!!!

E. Camilleri

Jun 17th 2009, 16:13

MEPA!? what is the purpose of having it in Malta???
Does EU know about this developement??? and other developements?

Dr Francis Saliba

Jun 17th 2009, 16:10

As far as MEPA is concerned, a two-tier society has existed for many, many years and the line of division does not lie along party lines. There is no need to hide behind any promised revision of its powers to procrastinate and to continue to tolerate if not to instigate the abuse!

P.Cassar

Jun 17th 2009, 16:06

WE ALREADY LIVE IN A TWO TIER SOCIETY ESPECIALLY WHERE MEPA IS INVOLVED. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST CASE OF WHO YOU ARE. WHAT PUZZLES ME GREATLY IS THE ABSENCE OF DR. GONZI AMD DEIDUN?

laurence schembri

Jun 17th 2009, 16:04

Amazing, even the rape of our Valleys and Herittage is politicized. No wonder that the mentality in this country can never be bettered. Instead of supporting the NGO`s, all you do is throw insults at them. A politically divided soclety...Shame.

Anne Zammit

Jun 17th 2009, 15:57

Smajna b'xi rjus min naha l'ohra ukoll, tibzax ...u zmienhomm qghad jaghsal!

Sandro Cremona

Jun 17th 2009, 15:56

Where is the Mepa reform which was promised . Where is our Prime Minister who promised us that he will go into detail to see what is going on and put the nation's mind at rest. It is scandalous. But it will be soon be forgotton like many others!!! . Elections are in approx 4 years time. Its enough time for people to forget.

Anne Zammit

Jun 17th 2009, 15:53

@ R.Mangion ...it's not the job of NGOs to object when MEPA already has strict principles on environment which it should itself be defending and is paid to do so. Besides the limited resources of voluntary NGOs are overwhelmed with all the permit applications in outside development zone areas - too many to keep up with. If it bothers you that much - sign up and lend a hand chum

adrian borg cardona

Jun 17th 2009, 15:23

To all those who attacking the NGOs: (1) nobody has an obligation to file objections BUT MePA has an obligation to follow its own policies and regulations; so now can you clever guys explain why these were not followed in this case? You won't find a reply in the file because the DCC gave no reasons, as it is bound to do by law! (2)Why did not Govt not object to protect one last untouched valley? Govt has a duty to the nation first and should have objected. Why do you expect NGOs to do its dirty work?(3) Why does an architect file an application when he knows (or should know) that the application will be against all these policies and regulations? Who would advise his client to apply knowing that it goes against these policies ? (3) Are you therefore justifying the destruction of the beauty of this valley (and so many others) on mere technical grounds? Unbelievable! (4) Why does MePA say nothing to justify this permit? Probably because they are accountable to no one! But the Govt is.

jesmond zammit

Jun 17th 2009, 15:23

@ j farrugia
jekk taf b xi haga tajjeb tmur tirraporta ghax il hazin jibqa hazin.

fil kas tal bahrija nemmen li kollu hela ta hin . bhal ma kien hela ta hin meta protestajna busietta gardens ,bhal l iskandlu tal mistra ...etc. issa ssir inkjesta u hadd mhu hati... issoltu f dal pajjiz....ghadda wisq zmien min meta nkixef dan l iskandlu ghal meta thabbar li se ssir inkjesta .inkjesta serja (jekk qatt saret hawn malta) kellha ssir mil ewwel.

Eugenio Taliana

Jun 17th 2009, 15:21

The very first party, be it Norman Lowell or whoever that may be who promises that when in government he would raze to the ground these permits in ODZ will get my sympathy and my vote.

C Calleja

Jun 17th 2009, 15:11

@ J Farrugia

Ghidilna min huma please l-irjus li qed tghamel referenza ghalihom.

Dettalji tal-PA number u x'kienet ir-rakkomandazzjoni tal-Case Officer.

a scerri

Jun 17th 2009, 15:07

If I am not mistaken there was a labour MP who contrary to this case, first did what he wanted, and then asked for "sanctioning" afterwards. And this was a representative of the people. Please tell us more!

Joseph Grech

Jun 17th 2009, 15:06

Lawrence Gonzi, P.M. should stop this farce - halt this scandalous application / permit in its tracks immediately. Otherwise Bahrija Valley will be ruined. If he thinks he should not ''interfere'' in Mepa he's just trying to abdicate his responsibilities towards the environment - which should come first before all else.
Lawrence Gonzi KNOWS that Mepa is presently not functioning as it should. SO MUCH SO that it is going to be reformed. Because of this it therefore rests with the P.M. himself to halt the permit. He has a DUTY to do so. The Maltese expect him to act ethically - and in the interest of our environment no matter what Victor Scerri and Perit Musumeci say. There is no other way for the P.M. to act. This case will show the P.M.s true mettle....is it just promises or action? sincerity or deceit?
There is no way I will vote P.N. in the next election if that permit stays.

C Cassar

Jun 17th 2009, 14:50

"One should not be able to apply in the first instance.... and do away with the 'niehdu cans forsi tigina tajba' mentality of applications. This opens the door wide open to corruption."

Very well said indeed O. Galea. A measure to this effect should have been the very first step in MEPA reform, before even commissioning any reports. It's common sense ... except to politicians, architects and developers that is.

M. Sciberras

Jun 17th 2009, 14:48

If I am not mistaken planning application procedures include a period of objections? Could the NGOs enlighten us on whether they submitted any objections against the development?

wally vella-zarb

Jun 17th 2009, 14:46

@ J Farrugia

"Kif qatt ma smajna b'xi rjus laburista li qed jibni f'zoni protetti?"

Per ezempju? Jekk hawn minnhom li ghamlu hekk, haqqhom l-istess stmerrija u kundanna minghand kulmin ghandu ghal qalbu dik il-ftit kampanja li fadlilna. Ghad jasal zmien li lit-tfal tal-gejjieni jkollna nuruhom stampi u nghidulhom, "Ara, dawn konna nsejhulhom ghelieqi ... "

R. Mangion

Jun 17th 2009, 14:43

Why are the NGO's voicing their opinion and protesting at this stage? Why not during the whole applications process? Maybe it is only now that Joseph Muscat has pulled the strings.

Tonna J.

Jun 17th 2009, 14:36

@ J. Farrugia - Why not publish lists and addresses as these NGO's, sometimes, do? (Name and shame) You will be more credible.

Mike Micallef

Jun 17th 2009, 14:34

Let's stay objective and please read me through before trying to attribute some agenda or other to my contribution.
A permit was issued by MEPA after nine years of haggling and to and froing. Should MEPA have issued? I would say not, but I know that they object to anything, just spouting a list of policies being contravened. MEPA caseofficers just do not back their objections with sustainable arguments, and have earned a reputation for refusing first and asking questions later. They then end up losing their cases in front of their own boards. Same with the example cited of windows and doors, and aluminium partitions and all the ridiculous problems that they create for normal citizens. One thing we are forgetting is that these very same caseofficers who object to the door/window are probably the same ones who objected to this development. No wonder they are discredited by MEPA's own boards.

One question needs answering still. Why were not the NGO's objections fielded before the permits were issued? Maybe publicity wise its more effective if a political figure has already started works, even if legally, and pictures shown of the scar, than just if we stop a paper procedure??

Peppi Micallef

Jun 17th 2009, 14:19

Some people should be ASHAMED of themselves and their greet. They do not care about destroying, killing biodiversity, eliminating our countryside,...as long as they are satisfied. WHEN, and I repeat ''WHEN'' this project will be finished because everybody knows that this person will get what he wants because as long as you know people, especially in this case, but not only in this case , you can even get a golden-speaking donkey fliying in the sky. Perhaps the 'developer' ( eventhough I do not think he is developing something, but rather ifarrak, jeqred ghax l-aqwa li him and his wife are happy) will say that he has the MEPA consent. I will not mix this with politics but hey....politics does not go far away from this issue and similar others. I did not vote for Gonzi in the last General Election. I was feeling a bit bad because still, I believed that he cared for the environment. Today, I opened my eyes,.yes I did... ''I cannot interfere in similar circumstances..'' said the wise castille man. Good night Bahrija. You will just be another piece of us Maltese which goes away to best offerer.

Joe Galea

Jun 17th 2009, 14:19

The Green Party of the year is....GonziPN!!!

Alan where are you? We need your green credentials and some wave flagging!!!

J Farrugia

Jun 17th 2009, 14:05

Min jaf kieku l-proprjeta' kienet taghkom x'kontu taghmlu? Forsi kontu taghmlu aghar minn haddiehor. U ghaliex issa qed titkellmu fuq zvilupp ODZ? Mela qatt ma mortu Ghawdex taraw x'inhu jsir minn irjus laburisti? Jew din hija biss politika kontra n-nazzjonalisti? Kif qatt ma smajna b'xi rjus laburista li qed jibni f'zoni protetti?

savior cordina

Jun 17th 2009, 14:03

Where is the Mepa reform which was promised . It is scandalous that Bahrija valley is also being ruined.

Mario Attard

Jun 17th 2009, 13:55

"Environment NGOs warned today that the granting of permits by MEPA for developments like that at Bahrija risked the creation of a two tier society, where some people got the go-ahead for major developments in sensitive areas while others in the same areas were even refused a permit to replace a window with a door."
I agree. I am sure that many citizens have had bad experiences with MEPA. Members of my family were given a hard time on minor alterations in a facade while others are given the go-ahead for full developments in ODZ's.
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others!! When will we see an end to these injustices?

o.galea

Jun 17th 2009, 13:54

the government evidently failed to heed the uncomfortably close result of our last general election..... not to mention the more recent result of the "european" election.

I fail to understand why one can still apply for a permit even if it goes against regulations.
Is it to make money ? Coz in order to apply for a permit I'm assuming one has to pay a fee.

One should not be able to apply in the first instance.... and do away with the "niehdu cans forsi tigina tajba" mentality of applications. This opens the door wide open to corruption.