The Prime Minister has accepted the internal auditor's report on the Baħrija development and expects the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to fulfil the recommendations made.
However, Lawrence Gonzi would not say whether action would be taken against the individuals who sat on the Development Control Commission board that illegally approved the last permit in 2007.
Mepa auditor Joe Falzon found the board had acted outside the law when it approved the permit for an extension to a farmhouse, which was to be built on land that belonged to former Nationalist Party president Victor Scerri.
The auditor said no action could be taken because the DCC members in question had since been replaced. Dr Gonzi avoided answering a question on what he planned to do in terms of accountability with regard to the board's illegal action, especially since he was the minister responsible for Mepa.
The Development Planning Act stipulates that half of the DCC board members are appointed by the Prime Minister and the other half by the authority itself.
The same board that approved the Baħrija permit had also been involved in the granting of a controversial permit for a supermarket in Safi in an outside development zone - which had prompted their resignation - and also in the controversial outline development permit for a disco in Mistra.
A spokesman for the Office of the Prime Minister would only say that Dr Gonzi was "determined to implement the electoral commitment with regard to Mepa in order to make it more consistent, efficient, accountable and stronger in terms of enforcement".
The DCC board in September 2007 was chaired by Philip Azzopardi and its members were Carmel J. Portelli, Anthony Mifsud, Charles Calleja and Christopher Spiteri. Contrary to what was reported yesterday, Charles Micallef St John was only appointed to the board in November 2007.
Mr Falzon accused the DCC boards of completely ignoring all policies meant to protect and safeguard the environment when they approved four permits for development at Baħrija valley between 2000 and 2007.
"The assessment of this application by the DCC should read: How to damage the natural environment with the blessing of the authorities responsible to safeguard it," Mr Falzon said.
The report was published by the government on Wednesday.
ksansone@timesofmalta.com