The planning authority's Enforcement Directorate today removed a number of derelict vehicles and scrap material which had been dumped in a makeshift scrapyard in Siggiewi.

Served with an enforcement notice in 2009, the site, which is located in Triq ir-Ramija, was becoming a health hazard to residents living in the vicinity.

The authority carried out its operation after it repeatedly warned the site owner to fully abide by the enforcement notice and clear out the site.

Apart from removing a large waste carrier vehicle, a lorry and some other scrapped cars, the site was cleared of a number of tyres, engine parts, timber and plastics.

The authority confiscated the large waste carrier vehicle and would release it back to the site owner only after all costs associated with this direct action operation were settled.

The directorate was assisted by members of the Administrative Law Enforcement Section.

It said that over the coming weeks it would intensify its direct action operations against illegalities impinging on neighbouring residents or negatively impacting sites of environmental or heritage value.