MEPA said today that it had cleared a large site at Marsalforn which had been illegally converted into a recreational and open storage area, but it could not continue to remove debris after it was served with a warrant of prohibitory injunction.

The Authority said the site, situated outside the development zone (ODZ) and had been enclosed with a 30-metre long boundary wall and gate. Within it were a caravan, a boat, a makeshift structure, a BBQ area with a number of tables and chairs.

"Prior to finishing the entire operation and clearing off all the resultant debris, the Authority was ordered to stop works following a warrant of prohibitory injunction requested by the owner from the Gozo Courts," Mepa said.

"The Authority has had to stop clearing the area for at least another two weeks, when the court will hear the case."

Meanwhile, the Authority said that the courts in Malta had dismissed a a request for the issue of a warrant of prohibitory injunction made by a land owner after its officials started demolishing a building in an ODZ at Wied Betti in the limits of Gudja. The court ruled that Mepa had the legal right to continue with its direct action according to law. MEPA is giving the owner a few days to remove the remaining illegalities himself, prior to intervening.