The Planning Authority’s enforcement unit were called three times to stop a man who was using heavy machinery to dig down below the bedrock of a field “to plant vines”.

The authority was first alerted to the digging in the Zokrij area by alarmed residents and the enforcement unit went on site at 12.30pm, instructing the owner to cease all the works as these required a permit, and to remove all the machinery.

However, it received another phone call at 4.15pm informing it that works were still continuing – but a subsequent inspection confirmed that works had stopped and the heavy machinery had been driven away.

The PA received yet another report this morning, and after yet another site inspection confirmed that no more works were being carried out.

“We are informed that the owner’s intention is to convert the field into a vine yard since such plants need ample soil depth for them to proliferate. We informed him that such works require a permit,” a PA spokesman said, confirming that the Enforcement Directorate would continue to monitor the site.