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plot and concluded that the submitted drawings were fraudulent and he therefore recommended that this permit should be withdrawn.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."

http://www.faa.org.mt/mepa_rewards_illegalities