The planning authority stopped works on a controversial Siġġiewi development after this newspaper’s report led to an investigation.
The development was in the name of a relative of a minister’s consultant.
The investigation was requested by the Environment Ministry as the Agriculture Department – which provided the necessary documentation for approval of the development permit – falls under its remit.
The Opposition on Wednesday called on the planning authority to conduct its own investigation into whether there were grounds on which the permit should be revoked.
Asked why the works were suddenly stopped, Mepa CEO Johan Buttigieg said they had started a month ahead of the commencement notice given by the planning authority, which set the date of March 1.
In view of a request to probe the validity of the documents submitted in the application process, the Mepa board decided to write to the official heading the government investigation, urging him to present his findings by not later than March 1 before works start.
Works on a 280-square metre villa on fertile agricultural land outside development zones in Siġġiewi began on Monday, a day after The Sunday Times of Malta reported that the case was the subject of a government investigation.
The case, exposed by this newspaper, raised concerns about the permit for the building of a new house issued in the name of Roderick Farrugia, son-in-law of Albert (known as Bertu) Pace, a consultant to Agriculture Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes and a former Labour MP.
The permit was approved after a letter by the Agriculture Department was presented to Mepa’s decision-making board at the 11th hour. The letter led to the permit being issued.
It turned out the case was based on a document bearing the department’s letterhead and signed last August by Stephen Galea, who described himself as a vet support officer, saying he had visited the farm, where the house will be built, “to carry out inspections… pre-year 2000”.
Since the permit was approved under the new rural policy, it had first to be proven that the site in question was once a farm. Official records show Mr Galea, who was under 25 at the time, was listed as “a labourer”, a position he still holds today.
There is no official record of him ever being employed as a vet support officer.
The Nationalist Party has also asked the Environment Commissioner within the office of the Ombudsman and the Commissioner of Police to investigate the permits granted to the site.