Illegal boathouses at Armier should be demolished and not sanctioned, Alternattiva Demokratika said.

Such a practice, it said, should be consistent with all illegal development. AD demanded the Nationalist and Labour Parties to take a stand on the issue.

Spokesman on sustainable development Carmel Cacopardo said: "Enemalta's application for the construction of a substation to service the Armier shanty town should be refused, and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority should demolish illegal boathouses.

"By submitting the application, Enemalta is making a public statement that it supports two weights and two measures. Ignoring the rule of law it wants to appease those who have taken over public property for their own personal use. Enemalta should be condemned without reservation for submitting this application."

Mepa, he said, should establish without further delay the date when the demolition of the Armier shanty town is to commence.

AD chairman Michael Briguglio said AD endorsed the position of environmental NGOs against such development.

"Unlike other political parties, we are not being held ransom by lobbies who usurp public land for private use. The Nationalist and Labour parties should immediately declare their position on the issue."

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