Updated: Mepa seals off development at Polidano Brothers headquarters
Video: Jason Borg
The Polidano Brothers construction group has had two illegal outdoor storage depots sealed off by planning authority enforcement officers early this morning.
Sources said there was a tense scene during the action at the company’s headquarters and a company official was arrested.
Over the past years, the contractors, brothers Charles and Paul Polidano had been illegally dumping hundreds of tons of rubble in the fields behind their headquarters to develop a massive scrap yard and storage depot which encroaches further onto a nearby fireworks factory which belongs to the Ta' l-Istilla band club of Luqa.
In recent weeks, the company had started developing a concrete structure.
The authority had slapped the company with an enforcement notice back in 2009 for the illegal dumping but escalated the action after The Times started investigating the case last week.
The site in question has seen several illegal development ever since work begun in 1991 until the headquarters, which cover some 45,000 square metres started receiving sanctioning and permits from 2004 onwards.
In 2005, the authority gave its go ahead to a gas plant, which stands less than 140 metres away from the fireworks factory. With this latest development, the boundary walls of the storage depot bring the distance down to less than five metres at some points.
MEPA STATEMENT
In a statement, Mepa said it had placed concrete blocks to seal off the sites which were being illegally used by the developer to dump inert material, scrap and other vehicle parts together with the placing of heavy plant machinery and precast elements. In one of the sites, the developer recently started construction works without any permit and was immediately stopped.
A police officer has been stationed to prevent any further illegal development.
Mepa said that earlier this week, following several warnings, it requested the police to initiate criminal action against the developer for abusively carrying out a series of developments within the Hal Farrug area without the necessary planning permits.
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Adrian Said
Sep 13th 2012, 23:36
Whether its illegal or not, I don't know. But if they sealed the plant because they are not at legal distance from the fireworks factory, one has to just go on the other side of the valley, where 2 GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS ARE BUILT close to SAN BASTJAN FIREWORKS FACTORY. No one mentions, how many people do Caqnu employ. I'd like to see the reaction of some, after Caqnu will fire the workers away, cause the plant is closed. If mepa wants to do its job, it should start from the illegal buildings/farmhouses/villas etc that are being erected and are being enjoyed by 2/3 persons. Thanks to this plant, many workers were being employed.
Pippo De Marco
Sep 13th 2012, 21:48
Does anyone else detect the hand of the Puppet Master in this token gesture ?
Shall we count the days before the PM claims that his administration is playing ... Sorry, GETTING tough with major constructors ?
And how better to deflect attention away from the construction mess that he unilaterally inflicted upon us, and is paying for with monies that would otherwise have been spent on the things that WE want and need.
When the election comes, Dr Gonzi, I will focus on your deeds and consider your words with the scepticism I reserve for all politicians. I will then withold the vote that PN would have got if you were not its leader. That is unless you decide to stand down beforehand, so that PN can become electable again.
Charlie Tabone
Sep 13th 2012, 19:32
or mepa gave permission for a concrete block near the airport............................or a massive block in marsa near shipbuilding...........
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Sep 13th 2012, 19:22
When is MEPA going to publish the Galdes permit documents? Let's not forget.
Valerie Calleja
Sep 13th 2012, 19:09
What about the lovely houses destroyed in Sliema and St Julians Mepa?That so called Palace Hotel on the High Street in Sliema, out of place, monstrous,empty most of the time.What about city gate in our lovely Capital City mepa?The list is endless. Shame on the lot of you..
Yosef Scerri
Sep 13th 2012, 19:09
like polidano doesn't have the machines to move them.
Keith Camilleri
Sep 13th 2012, 19:07
A totally derelict area has been developed up to high standards. Whats the problem with that? I think MEPA should look at why Tower road has 9 stories at sea front and the roads behind have far less levels. That is bad planning!!!
john muscat
Sep 13th 2012, 18:49
In the meantime MEPA gave permission for that monstrous building at city gate in Valletta lol.
john muscat
Sep 13th 2012, 18:42
How about that monstrosity being built at the entrance to the City of the Knights Valletta which is out of contrast to the old and beautiful old buildings in Valletta?? More than that, that monstrous building is unnecessary.
John Zammit Ph.D.
Sep 13th 2012, 18:32
In the meantime MEPA gave permission to Labour Whip Joe Mizzi to destroy the Rinella Government Housing Estate. see: www.freewebs.com/mintoffjani How rediculous!!!!
Gillian Snook
Sep 13th 2012, 16:36
In 2005, the authority gave its go ahead to a gas plant, which stands less than 140 metres away from the fireworks factory.
Surely alarm bells should have gone off SOMEWHERE when that happened.
Francis Sammut
Sep 13th 2012, 18:50
And let's not forget the hangars of Lufthansa Technic which are only a few metres away, across the road!
Kevin Camilleri
Sep 13th 2012, 23:05
Get your fact's right before you write something like this. The gas plant was approved much before Lufthansa was built!!
S. Caruana
Sep 13th 2012, 16:22
Kemm hawn x'jinqeleb u jizarma kieku vera l-MEPA trid taghmel l-affarijiet bis-serjeta............ l-ewwel hallewh jikber daqs iljunfant u issa maru jarxuh biex ibezzawh.........l-aqwa li ghad hawn minn jibla r-ross bil-labra!
Paul Azzopardi
Sep 13th 2012, 16:11
The MEPA and the Authorities in General should be ashamed of themselves, havent they clowned around enough...now they want to show an act of force, to make a show just to revert back to their back handing ways after the elections....like we the public don't have eyes in our faces and we dont know what goes on??
U halluna guys...ross bil labar...ux
Paul Selis
Sep 13th 2012, 15:15
MEPA culpa, MEPA maxima culpa.
Just a play on words. Or is it...?
Christina Sammut
Sep 13th 2012, 15:01
Keep up the good work MEPA. How about the other ODZ land in M'Scala? Isn't it more scandalous the way it was diverted to accommodate the high and mighty?
Anthony Pace Gouder
Sep 13th 2012, 17:04
........................ and all the illegal summer-houses built for years and still standing in various parts of the island , particularly around Armier !
Is there any chance of their removal ,as to make it possible for a proper research to start on the geology of the terraine in preparation for the most adventageous site for an 'eventual' Malta-Gozo Tunnel ?
Dr. Said and Giovanna take note . The Election is quite close .
Jimmy James
Sep 13th 2012, 19:22
........and MEPA while you are at it, have a look of how you allowed bugibba to become,disasterous with all the uncontrolled,unnecessary excessive building heights spoiling what used to be panaoramic seaviews enjoyed from almost everywhere.To day unless you are rich and able to buy a seafront apartment you have to settle to live in a place that looks at the back of these luxury/high apartments.No wonder why many locals are leaving bugibba only to be replaced by immigrants!
Three cheers for MEPA -hip hip hip .......yup yup YUP!.....
Neil Bugeja
Sep 13th 2012, 14:51
While I agree that ALL illegal development should be stopped immediately, some people are just happy this happened because Mr. Polidano is rich! Come on! I'm sure Mr. Polidano never stayed wasting his time and worked very hard to get where he is now.
However, I believe MEPA should prevent things like this rather than stop them once they have begun
James Vella
Sep 13th 2012, 15:28
I fully agree with you Mr. Bugeja, but on the other hand one cannot do whatever he wants just because he is who he is.
Franco Attard Trevisan
Sep 13th 2012, 16:05
I agree 100%!
M Grima
Sep 13th 2012, 14:41
Meta tasal l-elezzjoni ta GonziPN iqumu mir-raqda. Kummiedja shiha!
GL Calleja
Sep 13th 2012, 14:41
Two quotes. We are Maltese and we do as we please and the main quote is Money talks and bullshit walks. So the abuses have been going on for years and lo and behold nobody bothered to do anything about it. Now thanks to the Times the pussy cat wakes up and is taking action. La morna, morna Gerit.
E. Azzopardi
Sep 13th 2012, 14:25
This all happens because their is no discipline in this country. And this is only a small part.
Just go around and you will see how indisciplined most of us are, besides of course being egoists.
It seems there is nobody capable in this country who could take the bull by the horns.
Michael Bugeja
Sep 13th 2012, 14:13
Insomma imbierek il-forzi tal ordni kollha, ghax kieku dan il-pajjiz sar mizbla fl-Ewropa,wara li sar Gungla tal Konkrit.
Peter Simpson
Sep 13th 2012, 14:03
Mepa is a Johnny come lately! Who is going to believe that this is not because of the looming elections?
J Busuttil
Sep 13th 2012, 14:03
Interesting to know which political party is mostly using the facilities of the Polidano Group
Brian Farrugia
Sep 13th 2012, 13:32
Addio ambient, nista naghmel li irrid ghax ghandi il- flus, is-sahha, u i-hbieb.
l-Aqwa li insir sinjur. X` Ghalajni mill-ambient u l-ligi!
Mr J Xerri
Sep 13th 2012, 13:26
Now that elections are looming somebody must have taken the decision to try to change the damaging picture that the Government is strong with the weak and weak with the mighty.
joe vella
Sep 13th 2012, 13:12
watch out malta - very soon we will be reading the CAQNU TIMES
Paul Azzopardi
Sep 13th 2012, 13:02
Some people think they can do whatever they want. Its sad to think people like this still exsist we thought they finished after the Labour haydays....the unfortunate thing is that what people like these do, reflects on the people around them and hurt the people and Malta...But ...they would be proud to say they don't care, some might even say MEPA might be too unusually lenient with them ...I'd hate to know the reasons why.
They should really get their Public Relations in order. So should MEPA.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Sep 13th 2012, 14:32
Don;' forget the time when Caqnu threatened government with firing all his 3000 and more employees in a spat with government. The then PM, EFA, caved in. No wonder this guy thinks he can do what he likes. But now it seems his time is up. I wonder why? I am sure a lot of thougtful consideration must have gone into this decision as there will be repercussions on the NP in government.
Joseph M Scicluna
Sep 13th 2012, 12:48
Yesteryear we had the Laj-Laj, today we have Caqnu - history really repeats itself.
R. Azzopardi
Sep 13th 2012, 12:47
And what will the outcome be? A slap on the wrist and a "don't do it again you naughty boys"
E Bonnici
Sep 13th 2012, 12:46
Gejja l'elezzjoni!!
joe vella
Sep 13th 2012, 13:11
bang on!!!
J Busuttil
Sep 13th 2012, 13:31
Ila hames snin gejja ghalik E. Bonnici f'ahhar tasal mhux hekk..
K Mizzi
Sep 13th 2012, 12:39
Seal??? Bring down the place
Victor Pulis
Sep 13th 2012, 12:32
Sorry Polidano Bros. Couldn't help but take action...The Times spilled the beans not my fault!!
Yours Sincerely
MEPA
W Cassar
Sep 13th 2012, 14:01
Yes that sums it up.
Carmel (Nenu) Aquilina
Sep 13th 2012, 12:32
@ Sinjuri tal-MEPA,
Meta ser tagħmlu l-istess, u tgħalqu darba għall dejjem il-barriera skandlu ta' Għar Lapsi?
Għadkom ma xbajtux tgħaddu lis-Siġġiwin u lill-poplu Malti biż-żmien Sinjuri tal-MEPA?
Possibli f'Ħal Farruġ dak biss hemm illegali, jew kollox huwa illegali?
Iċċekjaw sewwa Sinjuri tat-Times!
Ejjew Sinjuri tal-MEPA qumu minn hemm, u tkomplux tkunu kompliċi fit- tfarrik ta' l-ambjent tal-poplu Malti!
Tafu li dawn ta' polidano farkulna it-toroq u kull parti tas-Siġġiewi, Sinjuri tal-MEPA!
Mur ġibna kieku ħallejnieħ jagħamel is-Cimenterija kif sar is-Siġġiewi?
Tony Mangion
Sep 13th 2012, 14:11
Ghid lill-Ministru li tiftahar tant bih, biex iqum Carm.
josef pace
Sep 13th 2012, 15:50
proset sur carmel fuq din naqbel mieghek 100% u natik l-appog kollu .
Louis Craus
Sep 13th 2012, 16:04
Ara ma hadtx zball hux? Taf min hu responsabbli mill- Mepa ?
Dak li qal li ghandu " par idejn sodi ".........u spicca li bil- par idejn li ghandu kisser pajjiz shih.
Mhux hal- Farrug u s- Siggiewi biss hemm " kollox " illegali, imma llegalita mal- pajjiz kollu.
Ara jirnexxilekx tmur tghum Kemmuna, l- Ghadira, tas-Sliema , Paradise Bay, insomma inti taf fejn.
Ara l- bini li hemm fuq il- blat madwar tas- Sliema, minn Qui si Sana sa Bahar ic Caghaq.
Ara jirnexxilekx timxi fuq bankina b' wheelchair jew pram fil-postijiet turistici!
Ara l- kwantita ta' kiosks li thallew jizviluppaw f'dawn l-istess postijiet u li hadu l- art tal-Poplu.
U mela l-" Magic Kiosk " biss kienet l- art tal- Poplu ?
Jew int tara minn ghajn wahda?
X' iridu jghidu biha tal- MEPA " SEALED "?
Eddy Privitera
Sep 13th 2012, 21:07
Nenu. Insejt li l-MEPA darba kien hada taht idejh Lawrence Gonzi , ftit jiem qabel l-elezzjoni tal-2008 ??? Dawk idejn SODI, eh ???
Franco Farrugia
Sep 13th 2012, 12:29
I can tell each and everyone that the area was once an environmental haven. Thanks to Polidano, thanks to the Lufthansa development, and other minor developments, the area is now destroyed - squallid! It has been destroyed forever, just because there was this man, with enough money as to bring the authorities to his side!
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Sep 13th 2012, 14:37
Err, excuse me - you seem to have forgotten that we have a planning and environment authority. For me they are the bigger culprits- they issued the permits and they should never have issued them in the first place. I don't blame the developer so much as he has to try. I blame MEPA for issuing these permits as it should not have done so. It is there to regulate not to dish out presents.
S. Camilleri
Sep 13th 2012, 12:28
About time too... ! Now how about action on the ODZ land in Marsascala.
D Portelli
Sep 13th 2012, 12:21
The power behind this company was always the amount of people it employs. Most actions made by this group of companies was always that, I do what I want otherwise I close the doors. If this group of companies closed the doors, huge trouble will arise not just to those who end up without a job but also to the banks that secures it's business. There are assets for sure, but to have assets and no cash flow it won't work out. We will wait and see what will happen... The story won't stop here.
jason cassar
Sep 13th 2012, 13:30
the most senseble comment .
Susan Cassar
Sep 13th 2012, 19:32
I agree but there are also other large contractors and don't worry if these close their doors others will take over their work and probably their employees..let the market forces dictate and not what a few brothers want
joe vella
Sep 13th 2012, 12:20
Caqnu will now huff and puff and then threaten, then they will make a substantial donation and hey CAQNU RULES OK!
IT'S ALL PART OF THE GAME, WE ARE WELL USED TO IT !!
J Farrugia
Sep 13th 2012, 12:17
The whole area is a pig sty around his premises, the new Lufthansa Technic site is a dusty muddy crap hole, surely he has no right to dirty public roads.
Wonder who he will be voting for in the next election and see if he tells his employees who to vote for.
Malcolm Mifsud
Sep 13th 2012, 12:08
About bloody time!
Peter Murray
Sep 13th 2012, 11:58
No prob for these big guys(read comnnected) as they will simply now apply retrospectively for this illegal development to be subsequently sanctioned and approved by MEPA -as has exactly happened on many other previous occasions
Charles Micallef
Sep 13th 2012, 11:58
For many years we use to say that we are strong with the week, and week with the strong and Polidano is another one of the strong arms which pulls the government arms when it suits them, let us not forget the public land taken to extend the hotel in Marfa and when the authorities tried to enforce the law, Polidano bullied the Government of the day they they will sack the staff.... and like the other similar firm who set up a company to service the hospital cleaning and paid the workers below the minimum wage.... these are one off's example when the boys grow politically too big and then they dictate to their close friends in the party how to react.
D Portelli
Sep 13th 2012, 12:37
I fully agree with you. The goverment will have to go in this another time. I get what i want otherwise from tomorrow all my employees are w/o work. The govermnet can't support and pay for all those jobs, he can't simply can't pay out that money apart from that he will be loosing NI + Taxes of these folks.
c scudi
Sep 13th 2012, 13:51
The cleaning companies employ mainly Philipinos and the pay is appaling and am sure the conditons not much better..
A. Xuereb
Sep 13th 2012, 11:56
The Poldano brothers seem to have become the talk of the town lately. They are the number 1 topic on a particular blog at the moment too. Hmmm wonder why?
joe borg
Sep 13th 2012, 12:33
Mux ax kulhadd irid jilhaq salib hat ihor sihbi ... u hadd ma jara tijuuu .... :)
j brincat
Sep 13th 2012, 11:55
"The authority had slapped the company with an enforcement notice back in 2009 for the illegal dumping but escalated the action after The Times started investigating the case last week"
Say it all!
One wonders why Mepa moves at such a snail's pace!!!
(jb)
william cauchi
Sep 13th 2012, 11:50
That something so big escapes the attention of Mepa on an Island so small, shows how inefficient (when it want, where it wants and with whom it wants) Mepa is. Just imagine if Malta was 1,700 times bigger like Sweden what mess we would be in.
Even for a kid in kindergarten, it would take no more than 10 seconds on a Google Map and everything is there to be seen.
Alan Deidun
Sep 13th 2012, 11:42
congrats, but many other infringements by Caqnu (the 'man who built Malta') are awaiting enforcement:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120909/environment/Contractors-are-still-ruling-above-and-below-the-waves.436163
Keep up the pressure MEPA and lets revive the blacklisting of contractors who persistently flout environmental legislation
Henry S Pace
Sep 13th 2012, 11:40
# Polidano hit by Mepa enforcement action '
Polidano is no exception - La Legge e uguale per tutt'
Unless you are not a member sitting on MEPA Board. according to the MEPA Auditor.
Christopher Grech
Sep 13th 2012, 11:39
Il-kbir dejjem kiel iz-zghir!
L-Mepa bla sinsla mal kbar, u maz-zghir taghmel l-aria!
Peter Attard
Sep 13th 2012, 11:39
It could be that Mepa discovered Google earth now, there was no other away for them to find out, after all our country is a huge place.lol..
Jesmond Chetcuti
Sep 13th 2012, 11:36
now a small fine and everything will be sorted....remember the Hotel in Cirkewwa.....parts of it where built on public land, what happened?
Omar Mizzi
Sep 14th 2012, 08:09
At least a fine and a permit were issued. The armier rooms are also built on public land, what Happened??????? NOTHING free to enjoy our land.
Jay Oatmon
Sep 13th 2012, 11:26
I imagine a plan is already in place for Polidano to offer an alternative fireworks factory site with financial inducements to the fireworks people.
Jay Oatmon
Sep 13th 2012, 11:23
The reason for no earlier action is - the big developers actually call the shots in Malta and they have the financial muscle to bend others (including politicians) to their will.
The big developers can more easily circumvent regulations they disagree with, and the politicians do not want powerful enemies - so there you have it, some are more equal than others in Malta.
Joseph Micallef
Sep 13th 2012, 11:47
If it is as you are saying then how come this action is happening and is happening now when an election campaign is at our doorstep?
Jay Oatmon
Sep 13th 2012, 12:27
reply to Joseph Micallef
The recent action is because newspapers/internet reaches many readers, and bad publicity is the result: -
"The Times started investigating the case last week."
Mario Camilleri
Sep 13th 2012, 11:20
Konna, għadna u nibqgħu, pajjiż tal-Mikkey Mouse!!
Joseph Camilleri
Sep 13th 2012, 11:14
Jekk tiehu passi, ghax tiehu passi. Jekk le, ghax ghajjien. Qatt ma tirbah wahda l-MEPA.
R Axisa
Sep 13th 2012, 11:12
Mela sewwa jghidu, b'sahhtu maz-zghir u dghajjef mal-kbir - issa ghax waslet l-elezzjoni l-Mepa trid tidher li b'sahhitha mal-kbir ukoll! Wara li dawn il-progetti ilhom lesti snin! M'ahniex aktar cwiec!!!!
Joseph Micallef
Sep 13th 2012, 11:44
You never know the intention behind such action and who such action will favour most.
Joan Nelson
Sep 13th 2012, 16:48
@ Joseph Micallef - You seem to know more then we hear. Please enlighten us as to your comments.
Joseph Micallef
Sep 13th 2012, 11:05
How come MEPA wakes up after projects are completed. These are not a room in a back yard but whole complexes. They should have known what was being constructed and action should have been taken then and not now. MEPA is culpable as anyone who it lets continue with construction when it knows that there are gross infringements.
John Farrugia
Sep 13th 2012, 11:05
And this action after many years of being OPERATIONAL ???? Kieni ukoll sur MEPA !!
Please choose the reason of your report below: