I have just been reading about the latest fantastic decision by MEPA to approve the development of a 23-villa tourist complex on the slopes leading to the Calypso Caves at Ramla l-Hamra.

Am I missing something here? Are MEPA not supposed to be working to protect the environment? I thought the fact that the proposed development at Hondoq ir-Rummien was even being discussed was bad enough, but that MEPA have actually approved this Ramla l-Hamra development is beyond belief.

Perhaps I’ve got MEPA’s role totally wrong here and in fact their job is to smooth the way for money grabbing developers to ruin the entire island!

Why did MEPA not ask the developer to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the development, even though failure to do so is in breach of EU regulations? Perhaps MEPA are in fact a law onto themselves? I also find it strange that MEPA asked the developer to make a number of studies, including an archaeological study, which found no particular archaeological remains. Surely any studies of this type should be carried out in a totally independent manner by an outside agency.

Do MEPA really think that the developer would report any archaeological remains if they did find them? Why would they when this would at least cause a delay in any development and possibly halt it altogether?

I would direct MEPA to their own Policy BEN 2: which states; Development will not normally be permitted if, in the opinion of the Planning Authority, it is incompatible with the good urban design, natural heritage, and environmental characteristics of existing or planned adjacent uses, and is unlikely to maintain the good visual integrity of the area in which it is located.

I would think that 23 villas stuck on a slope beneath the Calypso Caves might just be detrimental to the environmental characteristics of the area. And unless they build them underground they are bound to have an impact on the visual integrity of the area.

Dr Harry Vassallo, AD’s chairperson said that this scandalous decision taken by the MEPA board will continue to undermine MEPA’s credibility as the environmental regulator. My question would be ‘What credibility’?