Baħrija farmhouse permit 'null'

J. Borg

Jul 19th 2009, 21:24

Well said Ing. Marco Cremona

I have been calling for board members to assume personal liability for over a decade!

GiovDeMartino

Jul 19th 2009, 19:01

U zgur li DeMartino appears. L-ipokrizija ddardarni lili. Il-MEPA qeghda hemm u joghgobna u ma joghgobniex hi trid tiehu d-decizzjoni. Bh al imhallef: HU u HU biss irid jaqta' s-sentenza. Taqbel jew ma taqbilx. Minghajr ma nidhol assolutament fl-ebda mertu: MIN ghandu ragun min hareg il-permess jew min iddikjarah null? Ghaliex wiehed u mhux l-iehor. Tghid inghataw plottijiet u flattijiet u xi villa hdejn il-bahar talli hareg il-permess. Jahasra ma tistghux titkellmu intom ghax ghandkom elf mazzra m'ghonqkom.

J Micallef

Jul 19th 2009, 16:08

At least.... an auditor with guts.

E. Azzopardi

Jul 19th 2009, 01:32

Incredible! One after the other. ( Kif nghidu bil Malti " Wahda wara l-ohra! ") Some people never learn. Will somebody with some guts give a lesson to whoever is guilty for these serious mistakes, please ? After all, the honest citizens suffer because of this.

James A. Tyrrell

Jul 18th 2009, 14:16

It would appear that although Malta likes to give the impression of a forward looking modern society it is in fact no better than a dictatorship when it comes to freedom of speech. Robert Musumeci I would say will be sorry that he was stupid enough to bring this action against Ms. Vella because all he has done is draw attention to his own business practices, which hopefully will be scrutinised in depth in due course.

I see this moment as a turning point in Malta's history where NGO's will emerge in a much stronger position than they have ever been. Well done Astrid, keep up the good work in the knowledge that all decent right thinking people are behind you.

Evelyn brincat

Jul 18th 2009, 12:16

Mr. MUSUMECI now you should withdraw your libel against Astrid Vella jekk inti ragel! Remember that she spoke on behalf the whole nation u kellha ragun!

Melissa Bagley

Jul 18th 2009, 11:57

Accountability? F' Malta? Ma tarax.....

Nicky Coppini

Jul 18th 2009, 09:42

Shame! all concerned should simply resign!

K Malliz

Jul 18th 2009, 09:39

Once again we see that the LP headed by Dr. Muscat was right. What is astonishing is the fact that this revelation came just a few days after the so called 'reform' started. Can we trust such a reform will lead to expected results when now the policy bit will fall under political arms. Will this not mean that in the future such a case would have found a loophole from which to escape and thus enable permit? One will wait and see but what is sure is that Dr. Muscat was right once again - a reform not courageous enough.

Ah sorry!!! - will someone decide under this administration and start taking political responsibility?

Marco Cremona

Jul 18th 2009, 08:54

Will the members of the DCC board who somehow (!!) decided to approve the development after so many refusals be made to pay for the damage that has already be caused at Bahrija, and to pay for the NGOs time??

Who's going to be held accountable? Resignations are no longer OK.... the board will be replaced by another which is no better. What the country needs is that the board members be held personally liable for damages. That may serve as a deterrent to prevent further abuse.

Dr. Scerri will now expect compensation for the permit being revoked. It would be scandalous if the taxpayer will be made to pay for the DCC board's incompetency (or worse), while the opportunistic developer (and his architect) get away with a handout.

This country has swooped so low it's incredible !

Jeremy J Camilleri

Jul 18th 2009, 08:40

Right on cue, Demartino appears....and yes...right on cue, he refers to the past......

What about THIS particular scenario dear Mr. Demartino?

Who do you think is responsible? Who do you think should shoulder the responsability?

Ma spicca z zmien xejn, because if you might recall....this is very similar to another scenario that happened just before the last general elections.

Remember?

Now...about Martinelli and Joe Vella(Mellieha), should we presume that they're missing in action?

s.sammut

Jul 18th 2009, 07:55

Now we expect the MEPA board to resign en bloc again just as it did barely a year ago after yet another irregular permit was issued to the safi supermarket in outside development zone, a board which was hurriedly reinstated because of electoral pressures considerations.

Joseph Caruana

Jul 18th 2009, 07:44

Issa mhux tkun gejja xi elezzjoni u naraw xi applikazzjoni ghal permess ta xi party fuq din l-imsemmija art hux?!!!!

@ GiovDeMartino
Nahseb li dak iz-zmien mhux spicca imma qeghdin fl-aqwa tieghu ghax din kienet biss wahda minn min jaf kemm applikazzjonijiet li gew approvati b'mod mill-akatr korrott.
Ezempju Hal-Qormi....Mela jista jkun li fl-istess triq li 6 qabel giet irrifjutata applikazzjoni biex jitwessa bieb ta remissa johrog permess ta pompa tal-petrol enormi, ta kulhadd jekk jara t-tabella jaf min!!!!!!

Dominic Chircop

Jul 18th 2009, 07:17

Coupled with the fact that the Police are now being used to silence NGO's who critisice such blatant disregard to planning laws,this is indeed serious !

Is a new class being gestated who can ride roughshod over the whole of public opinion ?

This all goes to show how unwise the PM is in putting such a hot potato under his aegis. The moment accusations are levelled, they will now be aimed at him. Rightly or wrongly, tongues will wag. And the party will lose further face.

Nigel Lawrence

Jul 18th 2009, 04:39

Look who's taking over MEPA. Look who wants a "farmhouse". Get the connection? This isn't over yet.

paul mizzi

Jul 18th 2009, 01:59

this for the reform on mepa!!! thanks for all those who really showed concern on the development! you saved bahrija!

Edward Camilleri

Jul 17th 2009, 21:59

Well done to Mr Joe Falzon, and the NGO's who have provided a consistent front against the destruction of one of the last few green areas on our islands, despite limited resources.

Now its the turn of the government to hold to account those that consistently have overruled the case officers or those that have exerted pressure so that this permit is injustly issued. If this is not done, then no ammount of reorganisation will improve the approval process.

Mike Magri

Jul 17th 2009, 21:26

Question... If at the end of this stinky story, it finally turns out that this particular Bahrijja Permit is NULL and it should have NEVER been issued, WHO IS GOING TO SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES, POLITICAL AND OTHERWISE, for the IRREPARABLE SAVAGE DAMAGE already caused to that valley...???????

MR. & MRS `HEAVILY TAXED PAYERS`, SERIOUSLY DEMANDS FULL ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FROM ALL THOSE CONCERNED.... Meaning the Imposition of heavy fines and Political and Other Resignations, should IMMEDIATELY follow..

Will Wait And See.............................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

charles zammit

Jul 17th 2009, 20:51

and to read tha ms vella is being questioned by the police is a pill that is hard to swallow. the police should be operating the other way round questioning those who were responsible for this permit. shame on you

GiovDeMartino

Jul 17th 2009, 19:46

Spicca z-zmien hbieb tieghi li taghti plot lil certu ministru u jtik permess tibni f'nofs il-pjazza tal-Mosta. Al buon intenditor.......

Joseph Borg

Jul 17th 2009, 19:15

A courageous move by Mr Joe Falzon and another blunder for The GonziPN administration.

Let's just imagine what would have happened if the protests never happened.

Albert Gauci Cunningham

Jul 17th 2009, 19:09

The permit may eventually be revoked but the huge loss of biodiversity might take ages to be recovered!! Those who were responsible in issuing this permit have no other choice but to heavily hang their heads in shame and resign, their presence at MEPA from now on is not only a constant reminder of their own pathetic blunders which served as a threat to our environmental heritage but are also a very serious stumbling block towards any hope of having a fully accountable and functionable MEPA. Victor Scerri on the other hand, as all PN stalwarts have done since March 2008, will hang on to his seat not giving a hoot whether he will become the proverbial albatross around Gonzi's neck, hoping that the people will eventually forget and that tomorrow will be all fine and dandy!! Such is the material that makes Maltese politics unique!!

Jeremy J Camilleri

Jul 17th 2009, 19:02

Where do all the Martinellis, Joe Vella Melliehas, JFarrugias and Demartinos go when such a scandal is evident?

I mean they comment about everything else....

JF Vassallo Ebejer

Jul 17th 2009, 18:39

Will the Police now start an investigation into how and why this permit was issued in the first place?

Will whoever was responsible be held accountable?

philip pace

Jul 17th 2009, 18:32

I think that this is a clear case where some heads have to roll.
The PM cannot dilly dally anymore.
The more he keeps mum the more he is subjected not to be credible anymore.
The president of the NP should resign immediately.
The boasting architect should seek good advise to come out of this mess.

Dear PM we are waiting for your words which I hope would be credible.

Your Government has lost it's face and is dying a slow death.

So who is REALLY ACCOUNTABLE NOW?

Colin Camilleri

Jul 17th 2009, 18:23

and now, what's next? Will the works continue or not? will Mr. Scerri now revert the works that have already begun and reinstate the site to its original condition? who will pay for the expenses?
there is too much at stake already. I still believe that at most it will still be a win-lose situation for Mr. Scerri or lose-lose at most. Either way, the maltese tax payer and environment protector have lost!

George Debono

Jul 17th 2009, 17:33

@ James A. Tyrrell ----I join Anton R. Borg in calling for Mr Musumeci to withdraw his complaint against Astrid Vella of FAA.

@ anton r borg - Perhaps Mr Musumeci will now withdraw his nasty little complaint against Astrid Vella?

Ironically Astrid was hauled up for interrogation by the police THIS AFTERNOON at short notice !

.......looks like we're becoming a police state

g

Charles Micallef

Jul 17th 2009, 17:09

I think that this is very embarassing moment for Dr Scerri who prior to this episode was held in high esteem at least within his party. This episode should also serve as a warning to all others would be speculators that thanks to the NGO's, such exploitation of land odz will no longer be accepted or tollerated.

I would like to hear what his architect has to say. Now is the time, as otherwise he will loose face forever!

Robert Callus

Jul 17th 2009, 16:59

This is good news. Also thumbs up for Joe Falzon who consistently continued to show how much a man of integrity he is.

However, one thing bugs my mind. How come those responsible for all these messes against the environment, our environment never prosecuted? Mr Scerri has a right to his land, but with that comes following the rules. If he did not, doesn't he and the rest of the clan owe us something?

maria brincat

Jul 17th 2009, 16:32

A massive thumbs down to lawyer Victor Scerri and architect Musumeci from the MEPA auditor on behalf of all (well, most of) the people of Malta. Now MEPA should make sure that the valley r in Bahrija is restored to its former pristine state.

Heather Brown

Jul 17th 2009, 16:27

This report completely vindicates the environmental NGOs' actions against the Bahrija proposal. Surely it is those who try to bend the planning rules who should now be investigated and, if need be, prosecuted, not the completely law-abiding NGO leaders who, in the matter of planning, seem to be the only people who truly have the country's interests at heart?

Joseph Brincat

Jul 17th 2009, 16:27

Dear Prime Minister, here you have all you need for the reform of MEPA ,
Just make good use of this report - keep Mr, Falzon, get back Mr. Cacopardo, and make a clean sweep of all involved in this granting of permits.
Only then you can start your reform.

R.BORG

Jul 17th 2009, 15:54

@ ALL
.....and what about the ruined land.....is it going to be restored to its original state?

Mario Xerri

Jul 17th 2009, 15:39

@Marie Galea
It is not a triumph for Joe Public yet as there are cases were the auditor has confirmed that the permit should not have been issued by MEPA and MEPA still did not change its decision.

That's why I do think that the bahrija farmhouse case is really a big test for the future credibility of MEPA.
In addition, I do emphasize that its not just MEPA that we have to point our fingers at. I do believe that we should start looking at architects behaviour and whether they should still hold their warrants. If we make architects aware that their warrant is at risk, I'm sure they will no longer fiddle with MEPA's policy guidelines.

J.Bonnici

Jul 17th 2009, 15:24

Joe Falzon is a man of great integrity, totally reliable and incorruptible. He encompasses everything that MEPA should stand for.

Joe Morana

Jul 17th 2009, 15:16

Prosit NGOs , Astrid Vella & Lino Bugeja, those who attended the protest march at Bahrija and all those who opposed and condemned this environmental scandal.

Will the MEPA - DCC Board resign now in view of the MEPA's Auditors' damning report like the DCC Board which resigned becuase of the LIDL permit? Will the police investigate and prosecute board members while surprisingly sparing the developer and landowner like they did in the case of the MISTRA saga?

I bet that, in the end no one will be held accountable for this scandal.

D Camilleri

Jul 17th 2009, 15:06

Next protest, as I`m sure there will be, I ask everyone to attend, to give a show of strength. So whatever govt we have the people must learn to show their disapproval cause these people only listen when there are votes involved.

Dr Scerri didnt imagine that building a farmhouse on a pristine valley floor was against policy,?

D. Fenech

Jul 17th 2009, 14:13

Unanswered Questions:
Why did the DCC overturn the Case Officers recommendation?
Was there pressure on the DCC and if so, by whom?
Was there bribery involved, by whom?
Is there still room for Mr. Scerri in the PN since it won the last general election on the envornmental band wagon?
Had it not been for the NGOs, Malta would have lost another valley. John Public deserves the facts. Well done to the Ramblers, Astrid Vella, and the many other NGOs. You are the true saviours of whats left in this concrete jungle of ours. A sincere THANK YOU TO YOU ALL

Stephen Borg Cardona

Jul 17th 2009, 13:23

I hope Joe Falzon s post as MEPA auditor is retained in the new reformed MEPA.

Mario Xerri

Jul 17th 2009, 13:08

Its interesting to see how MEPA will react now as there are more cases were permits should not have been issued by MEPA. MEPA's reaction will open up several of these cases.

In addition, I do suggest that the 'kamra tal periti' starts loooking at the cases where architects were involved in these scandalous cases and starts issuing a few red cards and taking off a few warrants. This will ensure that going forward, architects will act diligently and safeguard their warrant which is the means for them to earn their daily bread.

Paul Caruana

Jul 17th 2009, 12:58

This would be comical, were it not so serious. Locally we have a number of authorities, who make it a habit of contradicting themselves.

This is a case in point: if I understand correctly, mepa has over the years issued a number of permits giving the go ahead for this particular development. However, once put in the spotlight, this latest in a long line of permits is suddenly is declared 'null'. Now assuming that things work out the way they usually do, some other part of the mepa organization will now make itself hear in the next few weeks and, lo and behold, will nullify the nullity so to speak, declaring that the permit is valid after all!

In whose interest, I wonder, do these organizations, funded by the Maltese taxpayer work? Who has the most to gain by setting up such organizations in such a way as to turn them into a joke and make them lose credibility in the public's eye?

Charles aLAMANGO

Jul 17th 2009, 12:55

Brilliant - another feather in Mepa's and the Prime Minister's cap. BUT what about ACCOUNTABILITY who is responsible??? These people who issued the permits for extensions etc are damaging not only MEPA but also whoever is in goverment.They should be investigated and if found guilty they should pay for their actions. KEEP IT UP...

J Agius

Jul 17th 2009, 12:33

Now that the auditor revealed that this permit is null,

Dr. Scerri needs to give his resignation from president of the PN.

James A. Tyrrell

Jul 17th 2009, 12:33

I join Anton R. Borg in calling for Mr Musumeci to withdraw his complaint against Astrid Vella of FAA.

It is obvious that there are good people working to the letter of the law within Mepa and an investigation needs to ascertain why case officers decisions are continually being overturned

Adrian Borg Cardona

Jul 17th 2009, 12:20

This is great news! Let us now hope that MEPA will agree with the Auditor's report and quash the permit. This also shows how grateful MALTA should be to the NGOs, to FAA and Astrid Vella in particular. Had it nor been for them, the Bahrija valley would have ended up built all over - not just Dr. Scerri's villa. Now will all those who attacked Astrid Vella in the most base way apologise to her and recognise her supreme worth in a country where political interests come above all else?

E. Azzopardi

Jul 17th 2009, 12:20

If it is confirmed that this permit should never have been issued, then the person or persons who issued it have not done their job properly and should be sacked. This country needs efficiency and it is very hard to come buy. Do we know how much this blessed farmhouse permit cost the country? Those who gave it out should be sued and fork out the money.
This is the only way for all others to learn. But we do not have the guts to this. It is the ONLY WAY.,

Marie Galea

Jul 17th 2009, 12:17

Yet another triumph for Joe Public and another U-turn by a government department. Privately, is there a bit of revolution going on? I smell a rat, a big one at that. To me it seems that as soon as a a big furore is created by the public either Mr. Gonzi or a government department gives way. I suppose that's what democracy is all about but does this happen at government level? I pity Mr. Gonzi if it does not because his hands are truly tied and consequently he cannot stick to all the promises he gave before the election. So, let's bring some more dirty washing into the open and let us the democratic people of Malta decide what next to be done.

c. cauchi

Jul 17th 2009, 11:35

The usual U-turn. First we issue the permit to build, then work starts, then the building permit will be revoked. What's for sure is that nothing can revoke the damage that's already been done.

P.Cassar

Jul 17th 2009, 11:15

John Public, paying taxes, tariffs, vat and fines through his nose, humbly asks who is taking responsibility with all that this means for:
BAHRIJA BLUNDER
VAT TBASWIR
ADT ARROGANCE
ETC ETC
People, who Ministers told us were reliable were behind these. They and the Ministers JUST HAVE to resign to be credible. HOW CAN THEY NOT???

anton r borg

Jul 17th 2009, 10:29

Perhaps Mr Musumeci will now withdraw his nasty little complaint against Astrid Vella? After all, it was his proud boast that he could get applications through MEPA legally, even when , at first, second and third glance, they may contravene at least the spirit, if not also the letter of the law.

Robert Caruana

Jul 17th 2009, 09:30

seems that gonzi is getting a firm grip on mepa.

EGauci

Jul 17th 2009, 09:25

This is not an isolated incident. Granting permits going againts same policies is not new. Unfortunately the ones that are discovered are the ones where media gets interested. It would be great if the media focused it's attention also to the common building of the average Joe. It would bring to light some extremely controversial buildings that were awareded these 'special' permits.
Try Triq it-Torri Gauci in Naxxar

Peter Bonnici

Jul 17th 2009, 09:20

Great! Now lets see who's heads will roll.

Joe Galea

Jul 17th 2009, 09:18

Well done to Joe Falzon!!

Finally sense and justice has won!!

philip pace

Jul 17th 2009, 09:08

So, if the permit has been classified as null, then what shall be done now?
This is an open question to the PM.
Apart from this, I think that this is a blatant use of power in high places.
I am waiting for answers and these have to quick ones.

Charles Micallef

Jul 17th 2009, 09:04

The big question now is.

Is the architect, who boasted on TV that the reason that he obtained this particular permit for his client is because “he was good at his job”, going to make a full and unreservedly apology to the public for, as in the words of the Mepa Auditor this permit should have never been issued and that it clearly run against the Mepa policy.

Is this what makes a good architect at his job,
obtaining permits that go against Mepa policies?