Works by the Eden Leisure Group on a new casino in St Julian’s are being probed by the Commissioner for the Environment and Planning, the Times of Malta is informed.
The commissioner launched an investigation following reports that infrastructural works were taking place on the new casino when Mepa had not yet decided on the planning application, a spokesman confirmed.
“The Commissioner for the Environment and Planning took up the case and is waiting for explanations from Mepa,” he said. The Times of Malta is informed that, so far, no feedback has been give by the planning authority.
This newspaper reported last week that substantial infrastructural works were taking place at the Intercontinental Hotel to transform the former Euphoria discotheque into a new casino.
The commissioner is waiting for explanations from Mepa
The works under way include changes to the façade and a rival casino company has filed an official complaint about “irregular” works.
Mepa told this newspaper no development permit had been issued yet on the development. It also said that, following a site inspection by its officials, it was established that no permits were needed for the ongoing works because these were only related to the dismantling of some structures.
A spokesman for the developer said that internal works in hand consisted purely of refurbishment and decoration and did not require any permit.
A full development application was submitted by Kevin Decesare, one of the Eden Leisure Group owners, at the end of October and a discussion and final decision were expected in April.
In the meantime, the owners of the proposed casino had put up billboards saying the venue will be opening next month. The billboards have since been dismantled on the orders of the Malta Gaming Authority because they were in breach of gaming law.
A banner advertising the new casino has now been placed in the public car park of the Eden Leisure Group in St Julian’s. This time, however, no opening dates are being advertised.
A spokesman for the Malta Gaming Authority said the banner was not in breach of the rules “as it falls within the parameters of the limitation on advertising of casino’s (set out by law) because it is within a holiday complex”.
ivan.camilleri@timesofmalta.com