Bahrija: Application for door, window near controversial development refused
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority turned down an application for an additional door and window on a property just 200 metres away from the site on which the Nationalist Party president was granted permission to rebuild a farmhouse.
The woman's application was turned down seven months before PN president Victor Scerri was given the green light by the authority to knock down parts of the farmhouse he owns in Bahrija. Later, he was given permission to demolish the entire building and build a two-storey house.
Both properties are outside development zones in an area of high ecological importance. However, while planning officers recommended Dr Scerri's application be turned down four times between 2000 and 2007 and yet it was still approved by different boards, in the case of his less fortunate neighbour they recommended that the alterations should be accepted.
However, in this case the board felt it should turn down the request for a new door a window and the "replacement of broken roof slabs with similar ones".
The news comes after Dr Scerri decided to halt construction work at the site, following protests by the environmental lobby.
The project is a two-storey farmhouse in the limits of Bahrija, which Dr Scerri obtained permission to demolish and rebuild.
When he first applied for a permit in 2000, Mepa was reluctant to even allow partial demolition of the old farmhouse. Then, in September 2007, he was allowed to demolish it completely and extend it by a third.
The PN president has denied exerting any undue pressure and called on the police and Mepa to investigate.
Environmental groups, which organised an onsite protest against the development on Thursday, yesterday welcomed Dr Scerri's decision to halt works pending the inquiries but insisted they will keep pursuing the matter.
There has been no public announcement by the police so far, but Mepa audit officer Joe Falzon yesterday said he should complete a preliminary report within two weeks. The case of the refused alterations is not the only apparent inconsistency by the authority in the area. Further away from Dr Scerri's property an application for a pump room and tool shed for farming use was also turned down in 2003.
Another man, who was twice refused a request to convert a reservoir into a pool, has now engaged Dr Scerri's architect, PN's Siggiewi mayor Robert Musumeci, who has also been attacked by environmental groups.
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A.E. Camilleri
Jun 21st 2009, 18:43
Honestly, all this Bahrija issue is simply a whole mess. With all the material being reported in the local press about the Scerri development, it is just incredible that the authorities had given the green light to such a development in the Barrija area! Whatever post Mr. Scerri holds, his family's application, or anyone's really, in that particular ODZ, should NEVER have been approved. In the light of the present developments, there simply have to be some resignations from the MEPA. We have had enough of this rubbish! Come on you guys, when are we going to be serious! The public in general should show its refusal to accept such situations in whatever way it deems best. The environment is important to all of us, and thanks to Alan Deidun for again showing his defence of the environment. Dr. Gonzi, let's not have a repeat of the Mistra spectacle! Step in, even if MEPA is an independent body, and show the people that you mean business, serious business! Thanks for clearing this issue too. No permit should have ever been given to this application, and it should be withdrawn immediately.
Ramon Casha
Jun 21st 2009, 17:12
These instances are not going to be forgotten by next general election. As the Maltese saying goes, "din fil-komma".
James A. Tyrrell
Jun 21st 2009, 15:16
The facts say it all really. In the same locality in 2003 an application was refused for a pump room and tool shed. 200 metres away from the PN president's property a woman had an application refused for a new door and window and the replacement of broken roof slabs. Yet PN president Victor Scerri is given the green light to demolish an entire building and build a new two-storey property with a one third bigger footprint than the building it is replacing. This despite having his application turned down 4 times between 2000 and 2007. If this is not a case of double standards I don't know what is!
James De Giorgio
Jun 21st 2009, 13:31
You know, I trust Gonzi generally, but when it comes to this MEPA thing, it is really a huge blight on his credibility.
They're totally out of his control.
Francis Psaila
Jun 21st 2009, 13:23
Such is the fairness of our fair and democratic country!! I failed to vote last June 6 and seeing all this I'm starting to think i was so wrong...next time I think I'll vote labour because this goverment is becoming what we fought against in the eighties!! Things are very very bad and this couintry is going back to the Lorry Sant years!! Thanks but no thanks Dottore Gonzi!!
M de Gray
Jun 21st 2009, 12:41
Where the the MEPA reforms? As from day one - look into solo interested - who one earth in interested in the Environment? Two applications two rulers!!!
J.Spiteri
Jun 21st 2009, 12:17
Dr. Gonzi, the way you are handling recent matters is casting great doubts on your post as prime minister. Your reputation as a true leader is rapidly diminishing, thanks to a few individuals who, it seems, you would not dare to confront or control. Moreover, the electorate has truly been disappointed by your action (or rather, inaction) regarding issues that affect the country as a whole, namely, the environment, W & E tariffs, and illegal immigration. Action not words make a true leader! ACT NOW BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!
mario gellel
Jun 21st 2009, 11:54
PROOF THAT MEPA IS STRONG WITH THE WEAK AND WEAK WITH THE STRONG.
mark zammit
Jun 21st 2009, 11:52
what arrogance these people have the reason i stopped voting pn
edward Mallia
Jun 21st 2009, 10:40
My comment actually refers to the editorial. Towards the end, there is the following statement: "A few years ago Dr. Gonzi took the step to halt any unecessary development in ODZ areas". This must refer to the 2006 adjustments to development boundaries, which were touted as putting the final seal on building sprawl. The actual effects were an avalanche of ODZ applications, in major part refused at first go and then accepted on appeal. In a meeting with NGOs some 6 months ago, Dr. Gonzi dismissed our concerns, based on MEPA facts, by insisting that few applications were accepted and with crocodile tears (the JPO sort) at our hard heart in expecting MEPA to turn down applications from farmers to build water reservoirs ODZ. Only a few weeks later a typical case surfaced, where permission for a reservoir had led to a pump room and then a bungalow. Dr. Gonzi's political luck, or his juggling expertise, seems to be deserting him: the Mistra saga, the Lija clash between two election candidates, now the Scerri-Bahrija affair. Incidentally the 2006 extensions are still being contested in the local courts by three NGOs, to the "disgust" of Dr. Scerri.
joe scerri
Jun 21st 2009, 10:22
Welcome to BANANA REPUBLIC. MEPA RULES OK. What a farce.
Gonzi wakey, wakey......