Six ODZ properties denied right to sanction

The owners of six illegal properties in outside development zones have been prohibited from applying for a permit to legalise their development since the planning authority’s rules came into force on January 1.

The law prohibits the submission of planning applications which seek to regularise illegal development carried out in ODZ, scheduled property and protected areas after May 2008.

The law is part of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority’s mission to clamp down on illegal development. On top of this, the authority had published two draft legal notices for public consultation to introduce daily fines and penalties. The notices, which will remain open until February 11, seek to overhaul Mepa’s penalty system and substantially increase the fines.

During a media briefing yesterday, Mepa officials also highlighted the work to schedule properties of particular value carried out during the last year.

Since 1994, Mepa has scheduled some 1,846 heritage buildings. The process to protect such sites takes place behind closed doors but the information is then made public, which means it can be appealed.

Some 14 properties were scheduled in 2010, including Dar il-Kastellan in Żejtun.

The wreck of an X-lighter ship, built around 1915, found outside Lazzaretto Creek in Manoel Island was also marked as protected heritage last year.

Mepa’s Heritage Planning Unit head Joe Magro Conti pointed out that scheduling this site meant a balance would have to be struck between protecting this ship and the marina’s needs in the future.

Neolithic tombs in Kerċem were also scheduled after the parish priest found human bones beneath the floor of his bathroom tiles while doing works to extend the room.

Casa Lanfreducci in Valletta, which has caused a stir after the government announced it planned to use its basement as a backstage facility for the open air theatre, has not yet been scheduled, Mr Magro Conti said. An NGO recently claimed that remains found a few years ago in the basement of the house dated back to the time of the Great Siege of 1565.