I am utterly disappointed and shocked at how certain decisions by Mepa are taken. From what I’ve heard Mekrech Garden in Għaxaq is to be demolished to make way for a building complex. Mepa has issued building permit 2256/10 – PA/1350/06 to start work on the project.

This is a garden built at the time of the Knights, Baroque style, on similar lines as San Anton at Attard, the Botanical Garden in Floriana, Romeo Romano in Santa Venera and others, but obviously on a smaller scale. It includes a number of olive trees over 100 years old, some of which have already been uprooted.

I cannot understand why such a historical place has not been scheduled on the list of Wirt Artna when other such sites have been. I reside in an area where the houses are well over 100 years old and I decided to apply for a permit to alter a side room of my house into a garage. The Mepa representatives came over to inspect the area and seeing that there were no garages the permit was blocked.

In another case Mepa issued a permit for me to change the balustrades on my roof on condition the new ones were exactly the same as the old ones. This shows that Mepa is inconsistent in its policies.

I strongly urge Mepa to reconsider its decison and withdraw the permit so that part of our heritage will be safeguarded.