An appeal to try to regularise an unlicensed restaurant in Gudja has been rejected by the Environment and Planning Tribunal as it was filed late. The tribunal upheld a submission by the planning authority that the appeal was filed seven months after the date prescribed by law.

The restaurant, Scicluna Farmhouse, located on the outskirts of Gudja, looks very much like an ordinary residence. However, behind a makeshift reed fence lies a large catering establishment with tables, outdoor ovens, restrooms and even a dining hall with flat screen TV sets and air-conditioning units.

In its reply to the appeal, Mepa rubbished Mr Scicluna’s pleas, insisting the restaurant could not be regularised as it had been developed without the owner having ever applied for permits.

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