Mepa said today that its actions to remove a building developed illegally at Wied Betti, near Gudja, were stopped short today after a court issued a warrant of prohibitory injunction at the request of the landowner.

The Authority said the building is in an Outside Development Zone (ODZ).

It explained that last year it issued a stop and enforcement notice on the site after its inspectors observed building works. Investigations revealed that an old building had been demolished and was being rebuilt as a residence, without a permit.

In the same month, the land owner submitted a planning application.

While the application was being processed it was noted that the owner had started building a first floor in breach of the stop and enforcement notice. The owner advised the Authority that he was not aware that works had continued and that he was going to take immediate action to stop works.

Enforcement officers carried out a further inspections which showed that works had still not stopped, Mepa said.

The Development Control Commission then dismissed the development permit application since the stop and enforcement notice was being breached.

After being informed that direct action by Mepa was imminent unless the illegalities were removed, the site owner demolished the first floor but insisted on retaining the illegal ground floor building and reservoir.

"Although these legal manoeuvres continue to impede the Authority from carrying out its work, Mepa remains committed to its efforts to curb illegal development," the Authority said, added that it eagerly awaited the court's judgement.