No sooner than the Nadur belvedere battle was over, than another battle began.

The Mepa boardroom did not empty once the Nadur issue was over.

For the last case debated by the Mepa board, it would seem there were more lawyers than ordinary people among the public.

The case was another Article 77 case. After a permit was issued for the construction of two semi-detached bungalows in Iklin, a third party claimed that the photomontage shown by the applicants to Mepa was not correct.

Perit Sciortino for the applicant rebutted the EPC permit was not based on the photomontage and this was in fact superseded at the later stage of the proceedings.

But Perit Martin Xuereb for the objectors pointed out the measurements provided by the applicant were all wrong because the road alignment was subsequently changed.

Then it transpired there is an ongoing appeal from the Mepa decision and a decision is expected on 28 September.

Other lawyers for the objectors, including Professor Ian Refalo, insisted the permit was issued on the wrong grounds.

As more lawyers intervened and interrupted each other in a manner that would not be allowed in a courtroom, board member Veronique Dalli, a lawyer herself, said she was being faced with a number of references to court sentences and needed time to go through them.

Chairman Vince Cassar then decided he would want to see what the Tribunal's decision will be.

Earlier the Mepa board had approved an IPPC permit for the operation of Sterling Chemicals Malta Ltd, sited at Hal Far.

Basically the operation consists of 9 reactors who will operate not just under the Mepa IPPC regulations but also those of ISO 2000 and constant vigilance and supervision by FDA of the US, the EU counterpart etc. 

The permit was issued against a bank guarantee of €22,000, a €25,000 processing fee and an annual fee of €1500 to cover inspections.