Three appeals contesting an enforcement order issued against La Grotta nightclub in Gozo were thrown out by an environmental tribunal after a request to sanction the infringements.

The enforcement order dates back to 1999, when the planning authority referred to a “development without a permit consisting of structures on different levels including a pizzeria, stores, bars, toilets, terraces and stairs, and rooms for accommodation found at the entrance all the way down to the bottom of the valley, along the entire complex of La Grotta”.

Three separate appeals were filed contesting the enforcement order for the additions to the popular Gozitan nightclub, situated in the protected Lunzjata Valley that leads down to Xlendi Bay.

Last February, an enforcement officer informed the tribunal that an application to sanction the illegalities had been filed. The application, which is still in its early stages, is to “sanction the construction of rooms in a number of levels including: pizzeria, stores, bars, toilets and terraces/stairs”.

A screening letter was issued to the applicant and, at present, “the case is awaiting the submission of any requirements indicated in the screening letter,” according to the case status.

In its decision, the tribunal noted that the law stated that a pending appeal contesting an enforcement order had to be turned down when an application to sanction the listed illegalities was filed. However, the execution of the enforcement order was suspended until a decision was taken on the sanctioning application.

A total of four enforcement notices were issued on the club – the first dates back to 1994.

Between 1999 and 2013, the owners of the club were stopped several times by the planning authority as attempts were made to expand the venue further into the valley.