A number of non-governmental organisations and Mosta residents this morning took part in a peaceful rally against the development of apartments and garages in Wied il-Ghasel.
Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Harsien Patrimonju Mosti, Ramblers Association and Nature Trust are arguing that while, in 2002, Mepa proposed that the line of development should retreat to safeguard the valley, in 2009, it issued a permit for the development of 26 apartments and garages.
MEPA has designated part of the footprint as a “Site of scientific importance”.
The site is also listed as a nature reserve by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which placed it in category three, that for natural monuments and nature reserve protected areas managed mainly for conservation of specific natural features.
The protesters claimed that Mepa is to continue hearing the appeal in September but, in the meantime, the developer can go ahead with the development at his own risk.
This meant that if the case was decided against him, he would have to reverse the development.
Astrid Vella, from Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar pointed out that not only was reversing the development next to impossible, there was also no guarantee that when Mepa continued to consider the case in September, it would take decide on it.
The developers had already demolished rubble walls, a girna and a number of trees were also in danger.
She said that although the outline development permit had been for the development of an old people's home, the full development permit was for flats. This showed that the permit was flawed.
The NGOs reported that such abusive permits are still being issued in spite of the MEPA reform, as was the case of an illegal chicken farm approved at the Wardija Balluta area, an EU Natura 2000 protected site.
Carmel Cacopardo, the architect representing the objectors, pointed out that there were currently 76,000 vacant apartments. So why were more being built, he asked.
Alex Vella, from the Ramblers Association, said there was an unbridled attack on valleys for development in spite of Mepa policies which clearly protected them.
Such development, he said, was turning valleys into water channels.