Decisions over sensitive issues taken by planning authorities everywhere are bound to raise controversy. But it does seem that Mepa is having more than its fair share of these.

Hot on the heels of the controversy over the planned mooring of a gas storage tanker in Marsaxlokk bay comes a new issue: a permit for the repair of oil rigs at the Freeport in the twin village of Birżebbuġa.

Now this would really be the last straw that will break the camel’s back in the south if the permit were to be allowed to stand. The likelihood is that it would not, although one can never really tell. The problem is that people’s feelings and concerns are very often being ignored, as happened in the case over the planned mooring of the gas tanker in Marsaxlokk.

Joseph Muscat may have staked his political career on his government’s commitment to deliver within the deadline it set for itself but since when are the people’s concerns sidelined on such a pretext?

However much the government may insist that it is perfectly safe to have the gas tanker berthed inside the port, the people in Marsaxlokk still feel that the risk is not worth taking.

Of course, their feelings ought to be taken into account.

If Dom Mintoff had every right to complain when the Nationalist administration built a power station next to his Delimara home, and got handsome compensation for it, the people of Marsaxlokk ought not to be considered second-class citizens.

The permit granted by Mepa to the Freeport for the repair of oil rigs is for one year but, if it were to stand, it would strengthen the precedent already set when the authority had allowed it to repair one rig some time ago. As those opposing the permit have quite rightly argued, the Freeport, a huge complex that is already causing inconvenience to them, should not also be used as a dockyard. There are specific facilities for the repair of ships and rigs.

The permit was approved by six votes for to three against – the NGO representative and the two political party representatives.

The government-appointed members on the board voted in favour.

What keeps raising hackles is that Mepa often appears to disregard the concerns that are expressed by local councils whose raison d’etre is the protection of the people in their locality. It would be illogical to exclude councils from the equation.

The government has said it plans to appeal against the Mepa decision, arguing that its position was reflected in the negative vote by Labour MP Joseph Sammut.

Alternattiva Demokratika argues the permit is not even in line with the law as it breaches planning requirements. It also points out, correctly, that maintenance of oil rigs at the Freeport could not be considered as being “ancillary activities”, as listed in the environment permit, and a new application is therefore required to revise the development permit.

Large projects such as the Freeport are important to the economy because they boost maritime trade and income but, with the island being so densely populated, it is important too that full consideration is given to the people living close to such projects.

The issues raised by the people of Marsaxlokk and Birżebbuġa deserve serious consideration. No-one should steamroll over their concerns.

The government ought to listen to the people’s concerns all the time, not just when it is politically convenient.

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