The planning authority yesterday stopped a planned demolition on a building outside the development zone after the courts issued a temporary injunction preventing its enforcement officers from going ahead.

The building, which is located in Wied Betti, limits of Gudja, was built illegally in place of an old building, Mepa said.

It issued a “stop and enforcement notice” on the site last year after its enforcement officers observed building works going on in the rural area. The old building had been demolished and a residence was being built on the site without a permit.

Around the time it was discovered, the landowner submitted a planning application, however the officers later noticed he had begun construction on the residence’s first floor, in breach of the stop and enforcement notice.

The landowner claimed he was unaware that works had carried on and advised Mepa he would see to it that they were stopped immediately. However, a further inspection by the enforcement officers showed work had not stopped.

The Development Control Commission then stepped in on the Enforcement Unit’s request and dismissed the planning application, due to the stop and enforcement notice breach.

The landowner then demolished the first floor but insisted on keeping what had been constructed at ground level, which also included a reservoir.

Mepa said it was determined to curb illegal development and would await the court’s verdict eagerly to learn whether the landowner’s injunction would be accepted or not.