Qala developers protest against Mepa auditor
Qala property developers Kevin and Joseph Xerri have filed a judicial protest against Mepa Audit Officer Joseph Falzon, complaining that his inquiry into their property development permit had prejudiced appeal hearings which are still pending.
They said that they had been granted a development permit after amending their plans in line with requests by the Development Control Board and in view of objections.
The permit, they said, was in line with planning policies, but a number of environment NGOs had still requested the audit-officer to investigate, and an appeal was also launched.
The auditor-general had gone ahead with his inquiry and published his findings - against the development permit - even though the appeal was pending. The developers said that in so doing the audit officer had prejudiced the appeal proceedings and caused them damages.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
4 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
James A. Tyrrell
Mar 31st 2010, 20:54
@lesley kreupl. Thanks for the answer. I suspected that this would indeed be the case. How can it be legal when an application is under appeal to just ignore it and go ahead with the building? If one law in Malta needs changing this is the one.
No doubt the development will be finished by the time the appeal is decided. MEPA will then fine the developer a couple of thousand Euros and that will be that. Why don't they just give MEPA the bribe upfront and have it sorted there and then?
lesley kreupl
Mar 30th 2010, 21:09
@Mr. Tyrrell
Yes, the development is in full swing - they are very advanced from the road side. Of course the buildings behind them have lost their view, sun and light. Next time you visit our lovely island the whole belvedere will probably be destroyed.
A shame really, but except for the NGO's and a very few dedicated a citizens, nobody seems to care much.
James A. Tyrrell
Mar 30th 2010, 20:10
I have a question. Given the fact that an appeal is pending have Kevin and Joseph Xerri actually started to carry out the development? I only ask because this seems to be normal practice in Malta and Gozo.
Anthony Grech
Mar 30th 2010, 19:09
Yeah, it really isn't fair that you would have someone tell you what to do. I would be so angry if MEPA tried and stopped me from doing as I like. I mean really I go out and hire an expert who then agrees with my opinion and now some government official is trying to tell me what I can and cant do. If I want to build some place then why can't I. Who really care about these "environment people"anyway. I say I should be able to build as much as I like, I employ people, I buy things from the hardware and construction companies, why should I ever stop?