There have been around 185 cases of illegal development addressed through self-compliance in the first two months of this year, according to Mepa CEO Johann Buttigieg.

Mr Buttigieg said the planning authority was focusing on self-compliance rather than the usual procedure adopted of issuing enforcement notices and the approach was yielding better results. He said it cost the Authority three times as much as it would cost the developer to remove the illegality.

Apart from being less costly to the authority, the new approach was proving more effective, he said. The figures proved it, he added.

“People tend to react better when approached and given a chance to regularise their position. This approach is having results and it is more effective than issuing an enforcement notice that tends to remain on the shelf,” Mr Buttigieg said.

He was addressing the media following the closure of an illegal scrapyard in Qormi that was one of those that came in line through voluntary compliance.

This did not mean enforcement notices were no longer being issued. Those responsible for illegal development are given six months to come in line. If they fail to do that, the Authority proceeds with further action.

Changes being planned in policies will also mean that those who would eventually face an enforcement notice would also face tough action.

The planning authority was giving priority to those illegalities that cause ‘injury to amenity’, such as scrapyards, dumping and open plots.

“Practically every week Mepa takes action. Just last week we caught someone dumping waste in a valley and we intervened to stop the abuse,” Mr Buttigieg said.