GozoNews.Com

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar said it welcomes the news of the mass resignation of the MEPA Outside Development Zone (ODZ) Board following the publication of MEPA Auditor Joe Falzon’s report highlighting the clear irregularities that accompanied the granting of a permit for a supermarket and car park in Safi on “good, cultivated agricultural land.”

Regrettably, these fields have already been ruined and rubble walls destroyed as the area was bulldozed as soon as the permit was issued; FAA said it hopes that the site will now be immediately rehabilitated to a state as close as possible to its original condition. This legalised vandalism shows that it is of utmost importance that as soon as a new legislature is formed, the amendments to the Development Planning Act to prevent such practices should be passed with urgency.

FAA added that it shares the Auditor’s preoccupation at the fact that the granting of this permit sets a dangerous precedent for further ODZ development, and that this mega-developer was spared the monitoring conditions that were imposed on a state school in the same area. The application had also been submitted by the then MEPA Deputy Chairman, acting for a developer notorious for his environmental abuse. The resignation of the board hopefully shows that finally MEPA divisions are beginning to take responsiblity for their actions and augurs that it will lead to greater scrupulousness and more consistency in the assessment of permits.

This case bears a strong parallel to the Sliema Windsor Terrace case, where another DCC Board “acted in a way which is far beyond their powers to do” in granting a permit to demolish an old house in a protected Conservation Area, again justifying the act on the flimsiest of pretexts. As the Auditor said, “The DCC can only enforce policy; it has no right to make policy.”

On grounds of urgency and on behalf of what remains of the Maltese rural and urban heritage, FAA urges an immediate review of the Development Planning Act to incorporate the final recommendation of MEPA’s internal Auditor Joe Falzon to allow for the withdrawal or modification of a permit where an application has been approved contrary to policy, as in the cases of Safi and Windsor Terrace.

Meanwhile, FAA notes the highly irregular works at Fort Cambridge and Smart City which have commenced while still awaiting the results of environmental impact assessments which are required for such projects.

Furthermore, this confirms that whatever the outcome of the General Elections, reform of MEPA should be treated as one of the most pressing national issues, and undertaken by any future Prime Minister, as being the only person in a position to control the powerful interests at play within MEPA. The Auditor’s report, accepted by both MEPA and the Authorities, also highlights the importance of the Auditor being provided with an qualified investigating office without further delay. The courage needed for a clean sweep at MEPA cannot be underestimated, however we have faith that due to both the constant pressure from environment NGOs and their willingness to enter into dialogue with Authorities, we will see a more pro-environment stand, increased transparency and improved ethics in the planning process.