Mr Causon said: “There seems to be no Mepa application for such development and Mellieha local council is unaware of any permit application. Moreover a considerable amount of gravel and rubble has been dumped on the rocks and wild thyme in order to construct a road leading to Kortin Road, from which slabs of stones from the boundary wall were removed to construct an opening. To add insult to injury, this new road has been closed and a sign has been put up saying that the area is private property.

“Alternattiva Demokratika asks whether this road and building have the required permits. If permits were issued then Mepa should explain why it has sanctioned the destruction of this rural area. If this development does not have the required permits then AD requests that urgent action is taken to stop the destruction of Xaghra ta’ Girdellu, Mgiebah in Mellieha,” Mr Causon concluded.