Mepa’s just and courageous decision (1)

Residents of the Portomaso complex have spent large amounts to buy their property, after assurances from the developers that building permit conditions did not allow further development.

The developer later proposed an extension on a 7,500 square metre coastal zone between our residences and the sea. We objected to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) and were joined by NGOs pointing out that the site is part of the protected coast between the scheduled Knights’ fortification wall and the sea, that it is an ecological zone, and that it lies in an area on which, according to the original permits, no further development can take place.

On April 26, the Mepa board heard a presentation by its Planning Directorate, which in our opinion bypassed fundamental planning issues, and which recommended approval of the proposals.

To its credit the Mepa board was not swayed by the directorate’s arguments and by the lawyers representing the developers, and took the just and courageous decision to turn down this proposal.

Clearly, the present Mepa board has a mind of its own and will take no nonsense from its directorates and from developers. The board bases its decisions on the important criteria of justice, its own regulations, and the interest of the environment.

Mepa is showing that the Mepa reform is proving to be a true success.

Thank you Mepa, and thank you also to the NGOs.