Din l-Art Helwa calls for good governance at Mepa
The need for good governance at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority has been stressed by Din l-Art Helwa.
In a statement the environmental group said that there continued to be far too many applications which were approved against Mepa’s own policies and good practice, such as that relating to the construction of a new building at Bahrija.
"The application not only goes against the principle of restricting new residential development outside the development zone, but the location of the building also endangers a rare endemic species of fresh-water crab that still survives in that area – and which Mepa is duty bound to protect.
"Din L-Art Helwa demands to know how this application was approved when it blatantly goes against so many planning policies. If planning is to be taken seriously then the whole culture within the planning process needs to change," it said.
Din l-Art Helwa said that clear policies, and consistent and transparent application of these policies, was the only way through which Mepa could regain its moral authority and attempt to save what was left of Malta’s fast dwindling natural and cultural assets.
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Stephen Borg Cardona
Jun 25th 2009, 19:58
In a civilized country the permit would be revoked and the people responsiblee for the mess would resign.
Sandro Cremona
Jun 25th 2009, 17:32
I had believed that our Prime Mister was going to be the person who would check on these applications and protect environmental places giving the Maltese citizen peace of mind. I now disbelieve any one in Malta is capable of doing this. I also wonder where the id-soda was ment for.
Adrian Borg Cardona
Jun 25th 2009, 17:25
What is amazing about this whole story is the MePA has not spoken once about this affair. It's as if MePA could not be bothered to explain to the Maltese public how it issued this permit. It seems to be saying "this is none of your business". Of course, we know that MePA is accountable to no one but only to the Prime Minister and the each time the PM is asked to intervene, he washes his hands off the problem. No wonder MePA does what it likes, defying all and sundry, including the PM!