The case relating to the revocation of development permits for the construction of villas in Ramla Bay, Gozo, by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA), continued yesterday in front of the Planning Appeals Board.

And yet again the Planning Appeals Board has deferred the case for a preliminary decision funtil the 2nd of October 2009, with respect to the objections raised relating to underpayment of levy due to the Board.

The Planning Appeals Board has now asked the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to recalculate the amount that should be paid by the developer to lodge his appeal.

The fees for appeals are €186 or 5 per cent of the planning application fee, whichever is higher. The developer, Emidio Azzopardi has questioned the amount he has been asked to pay, arguing that the appeal fee was based on the value of the original application, saying that this was wrongly calculated as it was based on the total area and not the disturbed area.

MEPA revoked the permits following detailed reports submitted by environment planning consultant and architect Perit Lino Bianco on behalf of Carmen Bajada, a resident and local councilor in Xaghra Local Council. These reports included proof that the outline permit was issued on information that was “false, misleading or incorrect” in terms of Article 39A of the Development Planning Act.

Following yesterday’s meeting, a submission was filed by Perit Bianco requesting the Planning Appeals Board to abide with its ruling of 6th February 2009 where it had granted the applicant two calendar months to effect the necessary payment.

The Save Ramla Committee will be shortly making this submission available on its website at www.saveramla.com.