Work carried out by the Malta Maritime Authority on the newly inaugurated Boiler Wharf is illegal, according to the planning authority.
No development permit was filed for the construction work carried out at the berthing bay at Senglea Point, a Malta Environment and Planning Authority spokesman confirmed.
The works included the construction of gates and fences, a guardroom and the demolition and rebuilding of boundary walls, the spokesman said. There was also a change of use of rooms to public toilets that was not registered, he added.
However, a spokesman for the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation denied these claims, saying the works carried out did not require a development permit.
The wharf was officially launched by Transport Minister Austin Gatt last week after the first phase of the project was completed. The wharf, which used to form part of Malta Shipyards and remained unused for a number of years, will serve as an additional quay for cruise liners when the Viset terminal in Valletta Waterfront is full.
As works were being completed, on July 6, an enforcement notice was issued by the planning authority because the boundary walls were demolished and rebuilt without a permit.
The project spokesman said the walls were removed to widen a ramp leading to the main road and was given the go-ahead by the Malta Transport Authority. The walls were removed to facilitate the widening of the road. Only maintenance works were carried out on site during Phase One, he said.
A spokesman for the planning authority said, however, that this was not enough, insisting that dismantling and rebuilding walls required a Mepa permit. No application for a permit was filed for any of the works carried out, the spokesman pointed out, making all the works illegal. In fact, the enforcement notice remains will not be withdrawn.
Once an enforcement notice is issued, there are three options open to the applicant: either apply for sanctioning, restore the site to its original state or appeal the notice.
On its part, the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation pointed out that the enforcement notice referred only to the taking down and rebuilding of the walls.
The guardrooms are mobile portabins each measuring eight square metres and the gate installed at the entrance replaced another gate, he said. Moreover, he added, the boundary fence replaced a severely damaged wall, including the wall demolished to widen the road, which was severely eroded.
Referring to the restrooms, the spokesman said these were fitted into an existing building on the quay and no new structures were constructed.
The 460-metre long quay can accommodate 300-metre cruise liners. The rest of the wharf, which includes a boiler room full of machinery, is to be converted into an industrial museum with some of the machinery, dating back to the 19th century, restored.
The first phase of the project, launched on May 27, was funded by the Malta Maritime Authority.
Speaking during the inauguration on August 19, Dr Gatt said the project was completed on time and within the projected budget of €566,000.
During the opening ceremony, the Greek-flagged cruise liner, Aegean Pearl, berthed at the quay.