Tourists at one of Malta’s prime beauty spots had an ugly experience recently when they were threatened for taking photos of an illegal structure that remains in place despite two enforcement notices.
The group came across a building constructed within the historic Victoria Lines while walking in the countryside near to Rabat.
According to the man who was leading the group of foreigners, they were warned by a person at the building to stop taking photos and not to get too close.
The group leader, a frequent visitor to Malta who did not wish to be identified out of fear of reprisals, said part of the fortification had been converted into a private terrace area with concrete walls and a gate added to the structure.
Victoria Lines are “a national treasure for all of us to enjoy, not something to be turned into a private barbecue area to be used and abused”, the man said.
Built by the British in the late 19th century, the Victoria Lines are defensive fortifications dividing the north of Malta from the south.
When contacted, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority confirmed that two enforcement notices had been issued for illegal structures at this location.
Notice EC/262/96 was issued in March 1996 for the illegal construction of an open terrace, while EC/400/11 was issued in August 2011 for the fixing of a steel gate and the construction of a low limestone wall without planning permission.
The case status of the former was listed as “direct action notification letter sent” on the Mepa website, while the status of the latter was “pending at enforcement officer”.
As well as the owner/occupier of the illegal structures, the Commissioner of Land was listed as a contravener in EC/262/96 and the Government Property Division was listed as a contravener in EC/400/11.
This land is owned by the Government and leased to the occupier by the division.
Astrid Vella from environmental NGO Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar said many campaigners had given up hope the authorities would protect the Victoria Lines from abuse.
“This area, which used to be kept in pristine condition under the British, became a free-for-all some years ago, with people first occupying sites and ex-army structures, then expanding beyond belief,” she said.
Illegal structures became a hot issue in the election campaign recently when the Nationalist Party pledged an amnesty for some building irregularities pre-dating 2008 that did not affect the rights of neighbours.
Concessions on minor development irregularities were granted recently by the planning authority through a legal notice that mirrored the PN’s pledge.
pcooke@timesofmalta.com