According to 'The Building Heights and Urban Design' policy issued by Mepa in 2006, the height limitation in Stella Maris Street between Capua and Howard Streets is restricted to two storeys, namely ground floor and first floor.

In March 2006 the owner of 26/26A in Stella Maris Street, submitted an application to demolish the two existing houses, construct two levels of underground garages, ground, first, second and third floor apartments and a penthouse. In June 2007 'Outline Development Permission' was issued; however, the height of building was limited to two floors.

In November 2007 a 'Full Development Application' for the two houses which ignored the height limitation imposed in the 'Outline Development Permission' was submitted.

Mepa recently requested the applicant to submit fresh plans for the fourth floor penthouse, so it seems that Mepa is giving favourable consideration to this application notwithstanding that the two-floor height limitation in Stella Maris Street is not being respected. If, as I suspect, this application will eventually be approved, it will be a big scandal and the future of Stella Maris Street doomed as similar applications will follow. It is relevant to highlight that, before the general election, the then minister responsible for Mepa, George Pullicino, sent a four-page letter to residents concerning 'Development in Sliema'. He specifically quoted the fact that height limitation in Stella Maris Street has been reduced from four floors to two.

As the Prime Minister is now responsible for Mepa, I expect him to honour his electoral promise to eradicate irregularities, especially within Mepa, once and for all.