Labour MEP Edward Scicluna has called on the European Commission to investigate the recent decision by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to approve significant extension works to Terminal 1 of the Malta Freeport.

Last week, Mepa overturned its February decision to refuse the application, despite the fact that no new information about the noise or social impact caused by the project has been produced, Prof. Scicluna said.

In a parliamentary question tabled to the Commission, Prof. Scicluna questioned whether the approval of the project had broken the Environmental Impact Assessment directive by ignoring the effects of the extension works on the Birzebbuga community, and asked the Commission to take action if the Mepa's actions were shown to be illegal.

Prof Scicluna said:

"Arguments about the commercial benefits of this project are not the issue. The point is that Mepa has ridden roughshod over the legitimate concerns of the Birzebbuga community, whose health, quality of life and the value of their property will all be adversely affected by this project.

"I want the European Commission to investigate whether Mepa has broken the terms of the EIA directive in overturning a decision, after less than a year, in the absence of any new information about the social impact of the project, and to take decisive action if they have.”

Prof Scicluna said European law required that all such projects were subject to rigorous impact assessments on the affected communities.

“Yet this legislation seems to have been flagrantly ignored.

“What is the point of having this useful piece of European law to protect citizens if planning authorities are then going to find ways to by-pass the rules,” he asked.