‘Mepa, not FAA’ defending Ramla case
Appeal proceedings over the withdrawn permit for the construction of 23 villas in Ramla l-Ħamra, Gozo, are being heard by a tribunal that is independent from the planning authority, a Mepa spokesman said.
A permit for the redevelopment of Ulysses Lodge was granted in 2007 but was later withdrawn on the grounds that the developer provided incorrect information. The developer filed an appeal that is still pending.
Last week environmental NGO Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar cautioned that the Gozo area was still at risk of development and criticised the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for allowing the appeal to be registered once necessary fees were not paid in full.
Reacting to this, Mepa stressed that the authority was independent from the Planning Review Tribunal that was dealing with the appeal.
After the permit had been revoked in 2007, the applicant had initiated two separate appeal cases: one was declared null by the tribunal on a preliminary plea, and the other appeal was still ongoing, Mepa said. When the proceedings started in front of the tribunal, Mepa’s legal representatives objected to the appeal filed on the very grounds that the appeal fees had not been paid.
The tribunal’s decision not to dismiss the case was based on a legal notice that allowed the payment to be settled within a time limit. The appellant honoured the time limit.
“While the authority appreciates and supports the work carried out by local NGOs, it stresses that it is Mepa’s legal representatives who are defending... the decision taken by the Mepa board to revoke the planning permits on this site against the appellant. Many reports seem to indicate that it is FAA that is defending this case and not Mepa,” the spokesman said.
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Mr david debattista
Apr 19th 2011, 21:03
Ramla is the most beautiful place on the Maltese Islands. Any form of development on this site would be a catastrophe . Those of us who come to Gozo in the end come to realize that what makes Gozo unique is not some farmhouse with some swimming pool, but it's still UNTOUCHED NATURAL BEAUTY, its capacity to still induce a sense of peace, relaxation of mind and sprite, and the hope of leaving something so unique and precious * Since in Malta It has been lost * to future generations. If Ramla is touched you are on your way to a catastrophe . having seen most places in the EU. .......... we have very little to offer when it come to natural environment compared to other European countries WE ALL KNOW IT . considering our geographical position. What little is left is mostly found in Gozo. This becomes even more critical taking into consideration it uniqueness. Gozo has the ability to make time stand still, not just for us all, but for all who visit the Island . What Gozo needs is to be left untouched and some very strong and solid advertisement . NOT BUILDINGS.
Renovate at all costs all old places with their endemic characteristics and concentrate on making the island more green and attractive IN GENERAL . NO POOLS we have them all over the place But encourage the idea of creating beautiful gardens with our typical fruit trees. It will make more sense to the tourist since our Islands tend to be very dry in summer. NO more pools, we need the water and we are surrounded by the sea, BUT BEAUTIFUL shady gardens instead. Same goes for our beaches. Encourage the renovation of our alleys. An alley is not a parking place especially when in use on daily basis I have seen an alley in Gozo BEAUTIFUL. This is the right direction for Gozo and all of us . EDUCATE THE DEVELOPERS, it is not just about money. Consideration to the surround environment during any proposed building, THE EXTENT OF NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON SITE AND SURROUNDINGS for GOZO in particular is of ABSOLUTE PRIORITY. Get going in this direction and then embark on some very heavy advertisement. AND NO BULL FROM MALTA. It will help non of us! As for the Ministry FOR GOZO if you want to make money selling milk do not sell the cow. And no tunnels Gozo will not cope,