The Malta Planning and Environment Authority has not reacted in any way to a request to issue an enforcement notice on the Ulysses Lodge site in Xaghra, after it was proved that the proposed development would take place on public, government-owned land.

The request to MEPA to issue a statement declaring its stop notice was filed by environment planning consultant Architect Lino Bianco on behalf of Carmen Bajada, a resident and councillor on the Xaghra local council representing Labour.

Following the revocation of both the outline and full permits for the development of villas instead of Ulysses Lodge at Ramla Bay, Gozo, Architect Bianco submitted a detailed report to MEPA which includes proof that half the area that was declared as “developed and disturbed land” is not covered by a development permit. The report includes a drawing showing the extent of the illegal development.

The Save Ramla Committee will be making this technical report available on its website www.saveramla.com early this week.

Last June, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority issued a final development permit for the building of 23 villas on the slopes leading to the picturesque bay.

In the first week of October, however, both permits were revoked by MEPA following the presentation of two technical reports by Mr Bianco, on behalf of Save Ramla. These reports include proof that information contained in the respective applications were “false, misleading or incorrect” in terms of Article 39A of the Development Planning Act.

One of these reports also includes proof that half the area that was declared by the applicant as “developed and disturbed land” is not covered by a development permit.

Following the revocation of the permits, Mr Bianco officially requested MEPA to apply and enforce articles 51, 52 and 55A of the Development Planning Act and thus issue a stop and enforcement notice with respect to the applicant and request to remove the illegality and reinstate site to its original state.

Despite the lapse of time, MEPA has still not acceded to this request and has still not issued an enforcement notice on the illegal development at the Ulysses Lodge site.