MEPA is in hot water again due to irregular construction on public land.

Residents of Zernieq Road, also known as Ta’ Paris Road, together with Malta’s environmental non-governmental organisation Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar held a press conference on site about the appropriation of public property.

The permit application 06167/05 states that construction work to be carried out on the site located at Valley Road, Birkirkara, include the building of a showroom, offices and flats.

More than seven feet of the public road was excavated, which went beyond the official building line, and has even exposed the drainage and water pipes that run down under the middle of the road.

“We immediately tried to draw the attention of Birkirkara mayor Michael Fenech Adami, MEPA and ADT to this matter but none of them took action,” the residents said.

The residents said the Birkirkara local council even gave the developer permission to close Ta’ Paris Road, which also denied access to a private garage as well as to pedestrians. The road that was closed in June allowed the developer to take over more land unnoticed. The road has now been reopened following pressure from the residents.

When six residents approached Mr Fenech Adami on the subject, he argued that the road had to be closed as it could collapse because it was built on clay. Residents claimed that this was untrue, as the road is built on solid rock, as can be seen on site.

“Most of the pillars were erected outside the building lines established by MEPA, both on Ta’ Paris Road as well as Msida Road.”

Residents referred this to MEPA senior officials, including Chris Borg, Architect Sylvio Farrugia, and Major Projects Case Officer, Robert Vella, but work on the site continued.

“It was very offensive for us when insinuations were made against us rather than against the abusers,” the residents said.

A large interconnecting shelter and an underground structure under Paris Road were also extensively damaged but no action was taken.

“There are three shelters in all that were all used during the war, as well as the structure that was used for surveillance services,” one of the residents said.

“We spoke to Mark Anthony Mifsud from Superintendence of Cultural Heritage as well as MEPA board members Kevin Borda and Joe Magro Conti, but again nothing was done.”

Adding further insult to injury, permit 06167/05 specified that the “Ashlar Wall” in Msida Road, Birkirkara was to be preserved.

“A large section of this wall ‘fell’ despite the fact that the wall is strong. This is not the first time that this architect has had ‘accidents’ happening to structures protected in building permits,” these residents said.

“Enforcement order 691/07 was issued at our insistence, yet for the umpteenth time nothing was done.”

“In addition to all this, construction on a pending application number 4073/07 on the Paris Road side is taking place on public property designated for public use.”

FAA and the residents said that it was insulting to them that MEPA, ADT and the Birkirkara local council seemed to be all working together to quash their efforts to stop this abuse of public land.

“We are dismayed to see that residents presented this abusive situation to the authorities around six months ago, yet they were ignored until FAA stepped into the picture,” FAA spokesperson Astrid Vella told The Malta Independent on Sunday.

“We have received great cooperation from the ministry, which has always heard us and has always been willing to set up meetings.

“With regard to MEPA, cooperation was not forthcoming in any way. The attitude of the ministry is in stark contrast to that of MEPA.

“In spite of confirmation from the MEPA survey that some of the pillars, as well as reservoirs and amenities, are being constructed outside the building line and within the footprint of the road, ie appropriating public land, we have not been informed that actual steps to implement an Enforcement Order have been taken.”

“These developers and architect are receiving preferential treatment because action is being taken against others but not taken against them.

“It is to be noted that Joe Bondin, the architect of the Ta’ Paris project, has also been involved in the Zebbug Gozo court case, the more recent court case against the government and MEPA instituted by Judge Carol Peralta, the case of The Strand, Sliema where demolition commenced while a 94-year old lady was still residing beneath, as well as irregularities in blocks of flats at Sliema Strand and Tigne Street, Sliema.

“FAA would like to know whether certain parties are being afforded special treatments and more illegal concessions,” Mrs Vella said.

“Architect Joe Bondin has been a member on different MEPA boards for a number of years, including the MEPA Development Control Commission (DCC).”

Mrs Vella said FAA confirms its stand that practising architects should not be appointed to MEPA boards for a number of years.