Baħrija permit on Mepa's agenda today

The controversial Baħrija farmhouse permit is on the agenda of the planning authority board this morning, with the possibility of being revoked.

The authority is expected to cite an article of the planning law which states it can withdraw or modify an approved permit in cases of fraud or misinformation.

Last month, Malta Environment and Planning Authority auditor Joe Falzon finalised a damning report concluding that the permit to rebuild a farmhouse on an outside development zone in Baħrija, owned by former Nationalist Party president Victor Scerri, had been issued illegally.

Dr Scerri, who denies any impropriety, resigned from the post three weeks ago after months of controversy. Hundreds had protested on the site where excavation work had started, although Dr Scerri later stopped the work pending the conclusion of the auditor's investigation. He had also asked the police to carry out their own probe.

Planning authority chairman Austin Walker had said the authority informed the applicant it intended withdrawing the last permit because it had been issued erroneously.

The first application to partially demolish two rooms that stood on the site was filed nine years ago and was turned down by the authority. However, the total demolition of the rooms and the construction of a larger farmhouse on site was later approved, despite the objections of case officers on four separate occasions.

Robert Musumeci, the architect behind the development, had categorically denied putting any pressure on the authority. He said he did not even speak to the case officer about the case.