Updated 3pm - Added Transport Malta reply

The Democratic Party has called on the Auditor-General to investigate how Transport Malta granted public land - part of the Mellieha bypass - for private residential development.

This occurred as part of the process of an application with the Planning Authority, the party said, adding that the ministry concerned failed to objec during the application process when has every right to do so.

It also appeared that the Land Authority was not consulted.

READ: Mellieħa bypass U-turn: road will not be narrowed, minister says

"This transfer of public land was done without a parliamentary resolution or a public call, and so goes against the law, considering that the transfer of public land is being achieved to serve this development," the party said.

"Furthermore, we note that this is being done as a pretext for the upgrading of the arterial road. Naturally, this requires the necessary space to make four lanes, pavements and bicycle lanes and thus has taken additional public land, possibly classified as Natura 2000, in order to protect the health and safety of all road users." 

Transport Malta replied on Tuesday afternoon by completely denying the PD's claim. 

"At no point was any public land given to developers," the regulator said. "The developers are forming a public road that will remain for the use of the public." 

Transport Malta reiterated that the bypass would remain a four-lane one, with no additional land, "whether Natura 2000 or otherwise" taken up.