The Mepa board has turned down a request by Malta Freeport Terminals to waive a fee imposed on it as planning gain, a condition that was included in the permit granted for extensive dredging works in February.

The board decided 7-2 against the request, which means that the Freeport will have to pay over €700,000, money that would eventually be passed on to the local councils.

The Freeport had asked for a reconsideration of the condition imposed when the permit for extensive dredging works was granted.

The board, which met this morning, also heard the chairman of the Malta Maritime Authority Mark Portelli argue in favour of the removal of the fee.

He said that during negotiations for the privatisation of the Freeport the new operators were obliged to carry out any dredging works at their own expense, contrary to what normally happens. “It would be unfair to now also impose a planning gain fee on the operators,” Mr Portelli said.

However, the Mepa board turned down the request given that the job was not simply maintenance work since the Freeport was going to deepen the port and effect the underwater marine environment.