The Civil Court this morning rejected a request for the granting of a warrant of prohibitory injunction to prevent the Lands Department from removing billboards at December 13 Road, Marsa.

The request was made by Active Enterprises Ltd, which argued that it held a MEPA permit for the billboards. It also pointed out that five years ago it approached Marsa council which claimed it was the relevant authority. Since then rent had been paid to the council. The company said it was never told to contact the Lands Department.

The court, presided by Mr Justice Geoffrey Valenzia, found that the company also needed a permit from the owner of the land. Since this was public land, authorisation was needed from the Director of Lands, and the MEPA permit was conditional to the authorisation of the landowner.