One of the largest illegal scrapyards in Malta, Ta' Gasparell in Birzebbuga, has been sealed off by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) in a direct action operation aimed to ensure that no more metal scrap would enter this site.

The authority said in a statement that over the past weeks the owner tried to stop the authority from taking action through a court prohibitory injunction. Currently, due to appeal proceedings and other legal constraints, the authority could not clear out the site.

This site overlooks the picturesque valley of Wied Zembaq and is surrounded by areas of ecological and archaeological importance that include Borg in-Nadur and the Ghar Dalam prehistoric site across the valley. The high landscape value of this area has been compromised following the continual illegal use and sprawl of this scrapyard.

Commenting on this operation, Mepa chairman Austin Walker said that "The operation on this site is an important step that the authority is taking to ensure that this sensitive area will one day be restored and safeguarded for future generations to enjoy."

Mepa this week also carried out another direct action operation to stop the illegal dumping of waste in the area known as Tal-Marg in the valley between Mtarfa and Rabat.

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