An application for an approximately five-storey apartment building with an underlying multi-level parking garage in our villa area in Balzan between St Gabriel Street, St Francis Street and Qarcilla Street was refused several times by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority in December 2005, August 2007 and June 2009. Mepa had stated that the proposal is in conflict with the “development control policy and design guidance”.

However, in July 2011, the developer appealed to the Environmental and Planning Review Tribunal.

In May 2012, the appeal passed in favour of the developer even though application went against Mepa’s policies, against Mepa’s Audit Office – which on February 11 2008 filed a report on the case stating irregularities in the procedures and mistaken indication of the zoning of our local plan – and against the Ombudsman, who in his report of August 27, 2008, stated that “residents should not suffer the effects of Mepa’s mistakes, whilst the developer reaps the reward”.

There are two cases in court against Mepa as well as a case by the residents in response to Mepa’s misinterpretations of the zoning colours. Although Mepa refused this development, during the last court session of October 9, Mepa’s lawyer informed the judge that Mepa has now decided to agree to the tribunal’s decision.

Mepa’s discussion was taken behind our backs and without informing our lawyer. In fact, we had no time to object. We have been unjustly treated. What is Mepa hiding through this U-turn? How come Mepa is now agreeing to this monstrous development in a residential villa area, when the application was refused several times? Why did Mepa not reject the application of this development in 2004 when the area was still villa zoning up to 2006?