Environment NGOs have welcomed a ruling declaring caravans at Little Armier illegal. They called on the government to now ensure that the caravans are removed and the land returned to the people.
Din l-Art Helwa said the caravans are an eyesore and are denying the public their right to enjoy the foreshore.
They are also causing environmental damage to the beach at Armier.
"Din l-Art Helwa has stated for many years that the illegal caravans and boathouses at Armier should be removed.
"It is a shame that it has taken so long for the authorities to act on these blatant illegalities," the NGO said.
It called on the government to take immediate action and remove these caravans, together with all other illegal structures in the area.
"This an opportunity for the government to prove its declared interest in the environment, of which we have seen little evidence so far," DLH said.
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth and Ramblers Association in a joint statement similarly welcomed the 'landmark' court decision.
"This comes after devious and illegal arrangements and promises made by political parties over these last 20 years, generally at election time," they said.
"Nobody is above the law and that those who ride roughshod over the law can no longer avail themselves of pre-election promises by any party, which only serve to encourage the creation of other lobbies' for illegalities."
They said it was ironic that just when the courts ruled that these constructions were declared illegal and that the supply with water and electricity was deemed questionable, the Prime Minister issued a vague statement stating that: "he would wait for advice on this morning's ruling before taking any action."
"Is the Government now going to find or create a loophole to make these squatters legal, or is it going to allow Justice to take its course without fear or favour?" the NGOs asked.
"The illegal occupation of this land for so many years does not in any way give the occupants title to stay on for ever - they have had the enjoyment of this land for so many years at the expense of others and justice demands that it is now time that government constrains the squatters to leave and give back to the people what is rightfully theirs."
"The Prime Minister expressed a wish to consult on the matter. The NGOs respectfully remind the PM that before the March 2013 election, when informed of what the PN had promised the Armier squatters, Dr Muscat had said he would not commit himself to any promises before he had studied the situation. 'The situation' has now been studied in Judge Anthony Ellul’s judgement. Now it is time to take action."