The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) said it has been proactive in the past months in trying to find a solution for the relocation of the existing illegal scrapyard at Wied Zembaq in Birzebbuga to a managed site in Hal Far. The relocation exercise has been embarked in collaboration with the Malta Industrial Parks Ltd and the owner of the site.

The Authority has over the years consistently refused planning permission for the development of a scrapyard in Wied Zembaq and has even issued two enforcement notices against the illegal development at this site. The authority stressed that although it was in full agreement that any illegal scrapyard was an inconvenience to neighbouring residents as well as the natural heritage, it could not take direct action since the case was sub judice.

The authority is defending its case not to allow the sanctioning of the scrapyard in Wied Zembaq in front of the Appeal Board.

Last year the authority carried out direct action operations on illegal scrapyards in Mgarr, Burmarrad and Fontana.