Rabat mayor criticises Mepa

Rabat mayor Sandro Craus yesterday criticised the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for revoking just one of the permits granted for a contested development in Bahrija.

The Labour mayor claimed Wied il-Marga in Bahrija would still be destroyed as a result of Mepa's decision.

The case revolves around the planned reconstruction of a Bahrija farmhouse by former Nationalist president Victor Scerri.

Last Thursday, the Mepa board decided to revoke the last of four permits connected with the development. The valley in question was classified as an Outside Development Zone area in September 2003.

In a statement, Mr Craus said it was shameful that at the Mepa board meeting, efforts were made to put the blame on those who made the mistake of issuing the permit.

He said the board's decision showed weakness and would allow for the destruction of one of Malta's most beautiful and ecologically important valleys.

"This means that the appeal of the Maltese citizens and the protests by the civil society have fallen on deaf ears," he said.

Mr Craus said the application for development should not have been submitted in the first place, "especially by those who should be setting an example".