Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) welcomes the news of the mass resignation of the MEPA Outside Development Zone (ODZ) Board following the publication of MEPA Auditor Joe Falzon’s report highlighting the clear irregularities that accompanied the granting of a permit for a supermarket and car park in Safi on “good, cultivated agricultural land”.
Regrettably, these fields have already been ruined and rubble walls destroyed as the area was bulldozed as soon as the permit was issued; FAA hopes that the site will now be immediately rehabilitated to a state as close as possible to its original condition. This legalised vandalism shows that it is of utmost importance that as soon as a new legislature is formed, the amendments to the Development Planning Act to prevent such practices are passed with urgency.
FAA shares the Auditor’s preoccupation with the fact that the granting of this permit sets a dangerous precedent for further ODZ development, and that this mega-developer was spared the monitoring conditions that were imposed on a State school in the same area. The then MEPA deputy chairman, acting for a developer notorious for his environmental abuse, had also submitted the application. The resignation of the board hopefully shows that finally MEPA divisions are beginning to take responsibility for their actions and will hopefully lead to greater scrupulousness and more consistency in the assessment of permits.
This case bears a strong parallel to the Sliema Windsor Terrace case, where another DCC Board “acted in a way that is far beyond their powers to do” in granting a permit to demolish an old house in a protected Conservation Area, again justifying the act on the flimsiest of pretexts. As the Auditor said, “The DCC can only enforce policy; it has no right to make policy.”
On grounds of urgency and on behalf of what remains of our rural and urban heritage, FAA urges an immediate review of the Development Planning Act to incorporate the final recommendation of MEPA’s internal Auditor Joe Falzon to allow for the withdrawal or modification of a permit where an application has been approved contrary to policy, as in the cases of Safi and Windsor Terrace.
Meanwhile, FAA notes the highly irregular work at Fort Cambridge and Smart City that have commenced while still awaiting the results of environmental impact assessments required for such projects.
Furthermore, this confirms that whatever the outcome of the General Election, reform of MEPA should be treated as one of the most pressing national issues and undertaken by any future Prime Minister, as being the only person in a position to control the powerful interests at play in MEPA. The Auditor’s report, accepted by both MEPA and the authorities, also highlights the importance of the Auditor being provided with a qualified investigating office without further delay. The courage needed for a clean sweep at MEPA cannot be underestimated. However, we have faith that due to both the constant pressure exerted by environment NGOs and their willingness to enter into dialogue with the authorities, we will see a more pro-environment stand, increased transparency and improved ethics in the planning process.