NGOs demand resignations, court action over countryside building permits
Environmental NGOs have demanded resignations from Mepa and court action on the basis of a report by the Mepa auditor on development at Wied il-Qleigha, Mosta, where a meadow was divided into four plots against MEPA policy. Two owners gained permits to build reservoirs but built two bungalows instead.
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, NatureTrust Malta and Ramblers' Association of Malta said they had brought the case to the attention of the authorities thinking that action would be taken to return the site to its original state. Instead, one of the bungalows was sanctioned as stables in PA 7283/07.
The auditor commented thus: "The site history is characterised by piecemeal illegitimate accretions to developments that have been approved. The inability to abide by the requirements of permit conditions is notable in the four cases, thus contributing to unjustified land take-up. This situation is of major concern to Environment Protection Directorate, and should not be rewarded through retroactive sanctioning."
The Director of the Environment added "Noting that applicants have demonstrated an inability to adhere to approved specifications, the proposals are strongly objectionable in principle, and it is recommended that the cases are referred to enforcement unit for direct action, with a view to securing removal of all illegalities and restoration of the site to its original state"
MEPA's Heritage Advisory Committee also strongly recommended that the application to convert one of the illegal bungalows into stables should be refused.
The NGOs asked how the Development Control Commission could grant the permit when all MEPA's departments urged refusal.
They also noted that the auditor had discovered a disparity in the height of the soil within the plot and concluded that the submitted drawings were fraudulent and he therefore recommended that this permit should be withdrawn.
The Auditor concluded that: "This is a classic example of how to reward a lawbreaker in his work to create environmental damage. Throughout the processing of the submitted applications the applicant was acting in bad faith" He recommend that the DCC Division A should assume its responsibilities for approving a permit contrary to policy and it shold act accordingly.
The NGOs said the highest authorities were au courant of all the abuse in this case as were the members of the DCC Board when they approved this permit.
The NGOs said they supported the Auditor's implication that the DCC board should resign and the permit should be rescinded, however board resignations were no longer enough.
"The NGOs maintain that responsibility for the destruction of our countryside must be taken and disciplinary measures, preferably by the Courts, are called for. The public has looked on silently for too long while our heritage is destroyed by the very officials who are employed to protect it. Malta requires no less than legality now."
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R Sultana
Jul 18th 2010, 15:11
More proof that nothing has changed at Mepa, it keeps on being the biggest enemy of the environment in Malta.
Not only should the board members be removed immediately, but they should also be taken to court and jailed for this abuse of power.
Only then would these omnipotent people stop thinking they have a sacrosant right to rape Malta.
James A. Tyrrell
Jul 18th 2010, 15:10
The question which must be asked here is how did it get this far? I have seen photographs of these 'reservoirs' and for those who haven't let me describe them. They have high walls all around with remote door entry systems. They have BBQ's with tables and chairs, children's toys all around and of course statues of the Madonna.
Now I would assume that MEPA inspected these buildings before they were approved so I was wondering how all these extras were explained away. The fact that these permits were approved mean one of two things. Either as stated in the article above the highest authorities were aware of all the abuse in this case as were the members of the DCC Board in which case they should resign or be fired.
The other option is that they didn't bother checking before signing off on the applications in which case they should resign or be fired. At this rate there will be no DCC boards left, as they all seem to be succumbing to corrupt practices. How can the people of Malta have faith and trust in the system when it is rotten from the top down?
Richard Galea
Jul 18th 2010, 11:45
A parlamenterian can put before the house a "private" motion. Can a private action be brought against MEPA for being part of the destruction of our environment? I really would like a lawyer to comment on this. It is time that we the "great unwashed" wake up and not let a few get rich at our expense!
Joe Fenech
Jul 18th 2010, 11:25
Close down MEPA !
Peter Murray
Jul 18th 2010, 10:48
Try as I may I cannot locate the word "RESIGNATION" in my Malta lexicon.The MEPA reform (YEAH RIGHT)reminds me of the great Italian reformer Savanarola,whose fate I dare say should be shared by those in MEPA,and his lamentable and injudicious attempts at such.This agency is a national disgrace and is a Robinson Crusoe Agency insomuch as everything is done by FRIDAY(has anyone tried to get any response from MEPA on this day).
Victor Borg
Jul 18th 2010, 05:51
Everyone seems to forget that MEPA is an instrument of the government of the day. The government wants to promote the fiction that MEPA is an independent authority. The reality is that it is the government who appoints the board members who make the ultimate decisions on what to sanction and what to reject - most of the board members that the government appoints are people who are loyal to the party in power and toe the line of the party in power and its network of friends of friends. Hence it's the party in power and its network of friends that are raping our islands day after day.
Joseph Tonna
Jul 18th 2010, 04:21
Prosit ghal hsara irreparabli li qeda issir fuq l ambjent .... !
Ibqghu sejrin hekk, dak li qed nizirghu ser nahsdu/jahsdu !
Joe Busuttil
Jul 17th 2010, 22:51
Gonzi PN of 'par idejn sodi' and 'odz means odz' fame,don't you think it's time to change your 'Ferrari?" We will remember when the time comes to exercise our right to vote,how the environment was treated under your premiership. The good thing is that your Ferrari has only one vote ,like me,and so on that point we are equal. I also hope that the members of these NGOs will remember too these atrocities to the environment when the day of reckoning arrives.
J Camilleri
Jul 17th 2010, 22:46
I just had a look at the MEPA website (as everyone can do) in relation to PA 7283/07. I notice that although the permit was granted on the 26 August 2009 and posted to applicant on the 22 January 2010, a reconsideration of the decision was received by MEPA on the 17 February 2010. This reconsideration has not, so far, been put on the agenda of the DCC and therefore no final decision has as yet been taken in relation to the planning application quoted. The granting of the permission on the 26 August 2009 can be overturned at reconsideration stage. As I am aware of this through MEPA's website, so were the NGOs; hence, I ask, why are the NGOs demanding what they are????
Mary Fisher
Jul 17th 2010, 21:34
We are still waiting for the transperency of the new MEPA to make itself felt or has it gone on indefinite holiday?
Wilfrid Buttigieg
Jul 17th 2010, 19:13
Well done NGO's, keep the pressure going - consistently and persistently.
Many silent observers are on your side and share the same views vs. such scandals.
It's high time that this country learns the meaning of the words transparency, accountability and social justice.
B Sant
Jul 17th 2010, 20:15
this country wont learn it until we remain silent
l fenech
Jul 17th 2010, 18:33
Imma l-ambient flok tibzghu ghalieh intom kif qed tharbtuh intom stess.
David Caruana
Jul 18th 2010, 09:27
Tiskanta kemm hawn min jaf jargumenta f'dal-pajjiz. Minflok titfa' t-tajn u tahbi idek, mhux ahjar tispjega sew xi trid tghid? Nitolbok tinfurmana b'ismijiet u okkazjonijiet fejn dawn l-individwi qed "iharbtu l-ambjent huma stess"
Carmel Ellul
Jul 17th 2010, 18:11
More of the same , no guts to stop the law breakers.
The right to break the law and getting rewarded for it has become state of the art to certain individuals.
Noel Buttigieg-Scicluna
Jul 17th 2010, 17:27
Why is it that in such reports the names of the archcitects who submitted the applications are not mentioned in very bold print ?
fbonello
Jul 17th 2010, 17:16
L-aqwa li l-MEPA ghandha chairman li jithallas aktar minn Euro 90,000 fis-sena!!!!
Michael Grech
Jul 17th 2010, 16:28
Shame on MEPA!
Karmenu vella
Jul 17th 2010, 16:24
About a year and half from today enforcement notice were given to illegally rooms in field at wied tutta in mellieha what do you think has happened nothing Like White Tower Armier Bungalow in little armier ghajn zejtun occupied there front like shanty town and lot of others. First remove electricy water and telephone connections. Dear Minister either say nothing or demolish . Hope it will not fall on deaf ears
Josanne Aquilina
Jul 17th 2010, 15:34
you created a monster . enjoy it cos one day,very soon, it will eat you alive
B Sant
Jul 17th 2010, 14:26
"The public has looked on silently for too long while our heritage is destroyed by the very officials who are employed to protect it. Malta requires no less than legality now."
its time that we do something coz the ferrari is not working at all notwithstanding its high cost