From A. Portelli

Mepa application number 4286/99 for a cliff-edge development in Triq it-Tonn, St. Paul’s Bay has been refused, which refusal was subsequently confirmed at reconsideration stage. An appeal is now set for hearing on 16 May (PA 92/04).

This process has to date been repeated five times, with the developer each time making minor changes to the previous application.

Not only is the applicant proposing to build on the very last remaining stretch of garigue in St Paul’s Bay; he is also proposing to destroy, in one fell swoop, a stretch of land which is:

• of archaeological importance

• scheduled (2nd class)

• a cliff area

What is more, this proposed development is on land that is outside development zone (ODZ).

I sincerely hope that the Appeals Board will not rob us of what’s left of this gem of a coastline. Now that Dr Lawrence Gonzi has taken Mepa under his wing, we expect more transparency and justice where it is due. Surely there must be a way of stopping this application once and for all …

A. Portelli

SAN GWANN