Planning Authority inspectors have visited a site on the cliffs of Fomm ir-Riħ where work appears to be in progress, but they were unable to determine what is going on.

A truck was seen delivering bricks to the site of a private residence, leading ramblers to wonder what was happening.

Times of Malta contacted the Planning Authority but could not confirm whether the ongoing works require a permit.

A spokesman said: “A site inspection at Fomm ir-Riħ was carried out by our environment officers, and a preliminary investigation has established that the buildings on site date back to pre-1967 and are visible on aerial photos of the time, meaning that they are legal.”

He said the planning watchdog was still trying to find out the nature of the work.

The spokesman said that nobody had replied when the inspectors knocked on the door of the residence.

Further investigations had to be conducted, therefore, to establish whether it was just maintenance work in progress, such as whitewashing, which does not require a permit, or if new structures were being erected.

Pictures taken from the sea and sent to this newspaper show a truck on site, as well as building material.

Din l-Art Ħelwa posted photographs of the works on its Facebook page and asked what was going on at such a pristine area.

Council member Alan Deidun said he was checking with the Planning Authority to establish the nature of the works and whether they were illegal.

The secluded pebble beach at Fomm ir-Riħ, on the limits of Baħrija, is only accessible by foot or from the sea.

The cliffs of Fomm ir-Riħ, where some sort of work appears to be in progress.The cliffs of Fomm ir-Riħ, where some sort of work appears to be in progress.

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