A permit for the construction of an agricultural store on a Natura 2000 site in Mellieħa has led to a larger than allowed development as well as the creation of new access routes in the protected area.
The permit (PA 5508/10) was for the construction of an agricultural store and reservoir in the protected Rdum tal-Qammieħ, which is a site of national importance. The area is beneath the cliffs in Mellieħa where St Agatha’s Tower (the Red Tower) is located.
During the construction phase, the development in this pristine area stood out. It was photographed by an individual taking a walk in the countryside who later shared it on Facebook asking if anybody knew whether it was covered by a permit.
The application for a development permit had been refused in 2011, but permission was granted by the planning appeals tribunal in October 2013. Yet the building did not meet the conditions.
This newspaper brought the matter to the planning authority’s attention, which issued an enforcement notice (ECF 74/15) that also states the case was still “under investigation”.
The ongoing development is in breach of the permit, according to Mepa. Rooms are too high as well as having a larger footprint than allowed. A reservoir and access routes are also out of line.
The developer started construction without submitting a ‘works method statement’ and an ‘environmental monitoring programme’ that were among the conditions.
This will gradually accumulate into a disaster in the countryside, but unfortunately politicians don’t seem that bothered about the longer term
In the week that passed since the first picture was sent to the planning authority and replies were received, the property was completed.
The case highlights the dangers of permitting development in Outside Development Zones and protected areas.
Environmental commentator and columnist Petra Caruana Dingli said the government was widely understood to be opening up paths for more building in rural and protected areas, and taking a softer approach towards abuse.
“The danger is that supposedly ‘genuine’ rural buildings might take this as an opportunity to try to expand and double in size.
“This will gradually accumulate into a disaster in the countryside, but unfortunately politicians don’t seem that bothered about the longer term,” Dr Caruana Dingli said.
She said unless the government sent a clear signal it will clamp down on abuse, and not just in occasional, isolated cases, then all dialogue about environmental concerns was just lip service.
“This applies to illegal development as much as to other issues like illegal hunting,” Dr Caruana Dingli added.