The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) determined 393 applications in December and received 427 new applications. The net pending caseload at the end of the month was 4,647.

During December, the authority processed 40 notifications of development, which, according to the Development Notification Order 2001, do not require a formal application.

In the same month, 44 Stop and Enforcement notices were issued, 38 in Malta and six in Gozo.

Sixty-nine enforcement cases were closed – 67 in Malta and two in Gozo and 41 enforcement cases were sanctioned by the issue of a sanctionable permit. Another 10 cases were resolved, as owners decided to remove illegal development and comply with an enforcement notice. During the same month, 18 cases were withdrawn by Mepa.

A total of 19 cases received at the Complaints Office were resolved without the need for enforcement action, as owners complied with instructions given by Mepa Enforcement Officers.