Nature Trust welcomes Mepa Appeals Board decision

Nature Trust (Malta) welcomed the Mepa Planning Appeals Board decision confirming the DCC board's refusal to permit the construction of a block of flats spanning across Mellieha valley.

Such a permit would have further destroyed the valley habitat, cutting off the water course completely.

NTM said valley habitats should be given maximum protection. Valley systems offered some of the best examples of biodiversity and Mepa should continue safeguarding valleys and refuse applications in such outside development zones.

The NGO urged Mepa that in cases where development had begun but was halted when permits were withdrawn or refused, the developers should be made to restore the damage done and bring the site as close to its original state as possible.

Only in this way would the environment be genuinely protected and conserved, it said.