The planning authority was yesterday accused by NGOs of failing to act to stop minor illegal development at San Blas Bay in Gozo, which is considered one of the most environmentally sensitive areas on the island.

The development consists of the installation of a gate and a metal frame on property lying just behind the sandy beach, which had been cleared out.

The parcel of land is private property which Mepa says belongs to Joseph Portelli, the owner of other developments in Gozo.

Mepa is now expecting the public to do its job and investigate complaints

Mepa yesterday took decisive action to halt the development, following articles that appeared in the press.

However, environment groups Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth and the Ramblers Association said the illegalities had been reported to Mepa weeks ago but no action was taken.

“We have evidence that a report was made to Mepa on the ongoing illegalities and a request was made to check them out,” a spokesman for the environmental groups told Times of Malta yesterday.

“Instead of immediately dispatching its officers to check the report and halt the development, Mepa told us to provide them with a site map of where the illegal development was taking place.

“It seems that, instead of trying to do its job and act on the reported abuse, Mepa is now expecting the public to do its job and investigate complaints,” the spokesman said.

Yesterday, Mepa said it had acted on the reports in the press and found there were illegal developments.

The authority said that, although the person claiming ownership of the land had said the development was for his “personal use”, it still needed a development permit.

“The officers immediately stopped the illegal work and an enforcement notice together with a daily fine – up to a maximum of €50 a day – was issued against Mr Portelli.”

Mepa said that it will now continue to monitor the site to ensure the removal of all illegal structures.

Another environment NGO, Din l-Art Ħelwa, also commented on the issue yesterday. Condemning the illegal development, it said it was ironic that no enforcement action was taken until the issue was highlighted by the press.

It also stressed how important it was for Mepa to take extra care of the San Blas area and warned that the beach should not be leased out for private parties that excluded its use by the public as well as leaving behind “an unsightly mess as happened on various occasions in the past”.