Fresh appeal to save Mellieħa valley

The recent news that Wied Il-Madonna, or what is left of it, has been reverted to the people of Mellieħa and not given to entrepreneurs for development has encouraged the residents of Santa Maria Estate to put pressure on Mepa.

Wied Għajn Żejtuna has suffered rape, exploitation, encroachment and unauthorised incursions with impunity. The Santa Marija Estate Residents' Association has been keeping a watchful eye on illegal development and the committee members keep on hoping that Mepa will comply with their legitimate demands to preserve this unique valley, the pride of all the residents.

Unfortunately, too many buildings have made inroads into the valley; too many developers have selfishly extended their building schemes into land that they should have embellished with trees and greenery.

The Mellieħa mayor, the hard-working Robert Cutajar, has vowed "to work in the interest of the Mellieħa community and to take decisions no matter how unpopular". He has kept his word. He has swept aside everything that obstructed his scheme for Mellieħa Bay. Hats off to his "draconian decision", to quote a phrase that Lino Spiteri emphasised in his article entitled Summer Talking (Sunday Times, August 2).

Residents of Santa Maria, which forms part of Mr Cutajar's community, also deserve the attention of the council. His full support will help the Għaqda to do away with any twisting of the rules.

Mr Cutajar knows quite well the (stale) English proverb: "Give them an inch and they will take a mile". This is what has been happening in the valley of Għajn Żejtuna.