The planning authority yesterday refused four of six applications to sanction development at the protected Dwejra bay in Gozo.

Four of the six applications involved boathouses, while another two were for summer residences. The two approved applications were to sanction boathouses.

These had prior permits which had been obtained through an exercise to sanction boathouses in 2008 based on an action plan, but their permits had been cancelled for different reasons.

All the applications were referred to Mepa by the Appeals Tribunal for reconsideration, based on the Rural Policy introduced by the Labour government.

Mepa board members Victor Axiak and Alex Vella were the only two members to consistently vote against the applications.

Dwejra is a Natura 2000 site and of ecological, geomorphological, fauna and marine importance. It is an area of landscape value and scientific importance.

Mr Vella made the case that once the permits had been cancelled, Mepa should adopt the approach of restoring the site to its natural state.

We should not keep giving more permits to upgrade the area but sweep it clean of illegal development

“Mepa never makes a claim for reinstatement. We should not keep giving more permits to upgrade the area rather than sweeping it clean of illegal development,” he said.

Some of the boathouses in question had difficult access to the sea, raising doubts about whether these were actually being used as boathouses.

None of the buildings in question have utility services – there is no water, electricity or sewage facilities.

In 2011, the planning authority said it would take “comprehensive” direct action with regard to the various illegalities in the scenic and protected Dwejra Bay once all the cases were finalised.

One of the applications for the boathouses that succeeded in receiving prior approval was for reconstruction after it collapsed during the replacement of a dangerous roof.The other application was for sanctioning.

In the latter case, when the permit was approved, the owner was abroad and could not be reached to pay the stipulated fine to gain the permit, the architect argued.

Mepa approved the permit against a €5,200 fine, imposing the maximum penalty according to recent legislation. It made clear that any permits given would not act as a precedent to increase the number of boathouses in the protected area.

Only those that had prior approval had received consent.

All decisions will now be referred to the Appeals Tribunal.