Environmental lobby group Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar has appealed to the planning authority to show “moral integrity” ahead of today’s meeting to decide if the cement silo in Marsa should be given a permit.

FAA said it was “extremely concerned” that Mepa was considering giving the go ahead to an “illegal cement silo that was built without a permit” adjacent to the Kordin grain terminal.

The case officer is recommending the permit be granted.

The FAA said health assessment reports highlighted the “very serious danger” of cement poisoning the grain. It pointed out that the silo never went through a development application because of a letter issued by the previous Mepa chief executive. The board could decide to grant the permit with the serious danger of contamination or refuse it and order the silo to be dismantled and relocated, the lobby group said.

“FAA trusts the board will have the moral integrity to refuse this permit, if not for its blatant illegality, at least to safeguard the public and, especially our children’s health.”