Bahrija works resume, Ramblers say
Works on the Bahrija site which had a development permit subject to major controversy some months ago, have resumed, the Ramblers’ Association said.
The association said in a statement it informed the Environment Protection Directorate of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority as soon as it got to know about the works.
It said that no permit was affixed anywhere on site.
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority in August revoked the controversial permit issued to former PN president Victor Scerri to extend his planned farmhouse in Baħrija. The decision, however, did not affect an earlier permit, issued in 2003 and amended in 2005, for the reconstruction of a dilapidated farmhouse on the site.
Although that permit remained valid, the directorate had cautioned that any negative impact on the area from the work would have to be mitigated.
Mepa's auditor Joe Falzon had raised doubts about the legality of the original permit.
The RAM said today that on taking a closer look at the site they discovered that the new works had gone beyond the areas that had already been damaged before, and the water troughs that carried water to the adjacent field had been buried beneath moved clay.
It was evident, it said, that the excavator had levelled a path beyond that limit and over the water troughs with the development causing more damage to the sensitive site, interrupting part of the stream of running water.
“As far as we understood from the meeting of the Mepa board that withdrew the permit, any further works were obliged to get the permission of the Environment Directorate.
“From the Mepa site this does not appear to be the case because the applicant is appealing the withdrawal of the permit.
“Since the permit was officially withdrawn the applicant has no right to carry on works,” RAM said.
RAM asked the Enforcement Office to stop works immediately and apply the relative laws and fines for such abuse on all concerned - contractor, developer and architect.
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Raymond Sammut
Nov 21st 2009, 17:24
@ APScerri
This appears to be farmland originally leased by the government for tilling and produce. The fact that the "razzet" ran into a dilapidated state would mean that the government lease no longer serves the original purpose. The Maltese government is obliged to either lease the land to a new farmer or make the land available to the public. Instead, what we see here, seems to be a private development in a rural area. To me it seems that In Malta some individuals are defying the law by bringing in heavy machinery where it should not be. This is pristine land and should be left alone for the public to enjoy if it's not going to be tilled by farmers. It is a basic human right of the Maltese citizen which the Maltese government has a legal obligation to observe.
Anthony Mizzi
Nov 21st 2009, 15:02
Lino Bugeja, President of the Ramblers Association of Malta was reported as saying “The LAND may by his, but the COUNTRY is ours”
That sums it all up and reputable NGOs like Ramblers Association need all the help and support they can get to preserve our last remaining countryside to be enjoyed by future generations.
The arrogance that NGOs like Ramblers Association is certainly deplorable especially when forthcoming from the Administration of the country who continues to boast of “CREDIBILITY” and certificates in competence.
Well a certificate in competence in Environmental issues and preservation of the environment will never be forthcoming either to MEPA or to whoever has responsibility of actions and enforcements within MEPA.
http://www.ramblersmalta.jointcomms.com/
Mark Cassar
Nov 21st 2009, 14:08
All this controversy has come about because MEPA never had, and still do not have the will to enforce in a proper and systematic way any abuses, that are the norm not only in this case, but in other such similar cases all over Malta. Re this particular permit, if MEPA let V. Scerri build, they should only do so on the original footprint, and only to reconstruct the dilapidated farmhouse that was already on the site. The damage to the environment is already irreparable anyway.
Muscat. Pat
Nov 21st 2009, 11:29
Gonzi is again on the "war path" to reform MEPA? He reformed it good enough when his caretaker government chose a new Mepa board days before the elections; hardly the kind of European ethical politics we were supposed to have embraced. There are a two tier system in Malta; in one system the laws are interpreted with loopholes galore; in the other, well the law is simply applied. Its no wonder that the Times reported that under Dr Gonzi, Malta has slipped further down in the Index of Transparency International.
laurence schembri
Nov 21st 2009, 10:01
He says, it is his land and he is entitled to do anything he want with it...so there! Law and Mepa and Gonzi doesn`t come into it, bugger them.
Jon Vercellono
Nov 20th 2009, 11:35
Conversely, for those espousing the private/public concept - regarding this what does one make of the government selling a portion of land - nominally public land - for development of the Fort Cambridge Project? Access nominally remains to the public but why shouldn't the Rambler's ask for a clarification - they have equal rights to an explanation without people jumping down their throats.
C Galea
Nov 20th 2009, 09:52
This is a very disappointing situation. As a person that was born, bred and educated here in this very beautiful small town of Malta , I feel that somebody at MEPA and some goverment minister/official? are resposible and therfore they should be forced resign and or forced to do so by the european court ?
GEORGE CUTAJAR
Nov 20th 2009, 09:27
All those opposing this development which in effect is a simple rehabilitation of a pre-existing dwelling should spell out clearly what they want. Their battle cry reeks of totalitarian doctrine - do they want government to expropriate the land in question and 'GIVE IT TO THE PEOPLE" so the RAMs can go for their sunday stroll in the countryside?
The property belongs to a private citizen, who has a valid permit and hand and who has all the right to do what he wants so long as he is within the ambits of a validly issued permit which, to my knowledge is still in force and was never revoked.
I. Cilia
Nov 19th 2009, 23:16
how can you restore to the public what is not public in the first place...
Victor Scerri bought the place i am presuming... so it is his... development was withdrawn and if that development was illegal then it should not be permitted..
if however there is still a valid permit to restore the actual building to its original state, then this is valid and according to the rule of law, enforced by democratically elected officials in Parliament.
NGO's such as ramblers are not elected, represent a small segment of society ( i wonder how many members RAM have? ) and have no right to request anything such as this if it is legal...
they can blab all they want about it of course.. it is free country.. but if it is legal, then that is precisely what they can do.. just blab...
if the rule of law fails because of such demands then it is a failure of the representative democratic system of governance that Malta has fought so much to gain.
Of course, next election, there is the mechanism by which everyone can use his democratic vote.
APScerri
Nov 19th 2009, 21:36
Attn Mr Sammut & Ms Borg
NO! It is NOT a basic human right that land is taken to be enjoyed by all and restored to the public (sic!). In this country we go by the rule of law, and NOT by the rule of the jungle (or the mob!!). So long as development is legal, then it has to go on! Better stop illegal happenings!
J. Borg
Nov 19th 2009, 20:34
@ C. Camilleri
It must hurt that GonziPN is far from perfect - still lame excuses will not help your party and government (especially the quangos it is supposed to direct).
If abuses are being or about to be commited in Wied Blandun, contact the NGOs yourself, and better still join/help them help you to protect what we still have.
c. camilleri
Nov 19th 2009, 20:08
I think that the Ramblers should be occupied more with things nearer home like Wied Blandun Paola which is being systematically ruined.
Mary Ann Borg
Nov 19th 2009, 19:54
I hope (but don't think so) that MRA are wrong. I also pray that MEPA is not up to some trick again in permitting such development. I strongly detest the actions by the developer that notwithstanding the public outcry and the pain the government had to go through because of his actions, he seems to be going ahead with his actions. Is this why he left his official status in the party? So he could carry on the rape of such a beautiful location all by himself?
George Cutajar
Nov 19th 2009, 19:27
Do the ramblers realise that a validly issued permit is still alive and kicking. The initial 2003 permit as amended in 2005 was never withdrawn and hence I fail to understand what this crusade is all about.
RAM should stop interpreting laws,rules and regulations once and for all. A validly issued permit to build remians valid unless withdrawn and in this case the validly issued permits were not withdrawn.
I am convinced that Dr. Scerri will pay great attention to sticking to the original permit issued and consequently this witch hunt should stop.
Raymond Sammut
Nov 19th 2009, 19:19
Is it not a basic human right of every Maltese man, woman and child that the little pristine land left on Malta be left alone for everyone to enjoy? If this farmhouse (presumably "razzet") had run into a dilapidated state, then why the Maltese government did not have it cleared and the land restored to the public. This appears to be government land which is no longer being tilled by farmers. What then is this monstrous crane doing here causing all this damage?
Edward Camilleri
Nov 19th 2009, 19:04
Disgusting! This is the reform that was to happen on MEPA?
Joseph Aquilina
Nov 19th 2009, 19:00
Dr.Gonzi, with such news what you are loosing are not votes but something more important – your own reputation!
P.Cassar
Nov 19th 2009, 18:59
AND THE PRIME MINISTER, INSTEAD OF SACKING HIMSELF AND HIS CABINET, WANTED TO SACK THE AUDITOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!