Two instances in the past days clearly showed that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority still had to reform itself, PL spokesman Leo Brincat said.

In a statement, he said that the PL had been saying this for a long but this was now also being said by the authority’s auditor both in the case of the controversial filming at Dwejra as well as in the approval for development close to the Seminary at Tal-Virtu’.

In the case of Dwejra, it was clear from the auditor’s report that the Environment Directorate within the authority was still considered and treated as a Cinderella.

According to the auditor, the directorate abdicated its responsibilities towards the Planning Directorate.

This could also be confirmed when the auditor said that the Environment Directorate failed to properly screen the Dwejra filming application.

On the other hand, no explanation had yet been given as to why no professional monitoring was carried out together with an appropriate assessment, as is usually done in Natura 2000 sites.

In the case of the extension of the Seminary, it was clear that the policies which had to be observed before the permit was issued were completely ignored.

Mepa failed to consider the impact of transport, siting, the ecological importance, the landscape value, the local plan provisions and the zone’s demographic considerations.

The advice of the Heritage Advisory Committee was not even requested.

What was worrying was that instead of listening to the auditor’s recommendations, the auditor was attacked by the top people of the authority.

In both cases, one had to wait and see who would be carrying political responsibility.