Illegal canopy outside scheduled villa removed

The Mepa enforcement team this morning removed a large canopy structure which was illegally assembled last month on one of the seafront terraces at Villa Cassar Torreggiani in St Julian’s.

The villa, which is a Grade 2 scheduled property, is being used as a restaurant.

Mepa said that it was impeded last month from carrying out its direct action operation after the site owner’s lawyer requested a prohibitory injunction from the courts. This week the courts decided in Mepa’s favour and gave the green light for the direct action to be carried out.

In March this year the site was served with an enforcement notice to stop the assembly of signage, glass wind breakers and floor decking without planning permission. This enforcement notice is being appealed, Mepa said.