I am writing this letter regarding a scheduled and protected zone of natural beauty between Triq it-Tonn and the foreshore at St Paul’s Bay. Residents feel frustrated by the fact that a developer continues to apply for development inside this area when several similar applications have been refused.

The fact that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) accepts such applications is absurd, because they should not even be considered in the first place, even more so when they have already been previously refused. Actually, heavy fees should be imposed on those who apply for development in scheduled and protected zones. Acceptance of such applications ultimately results in waste of time and resources because of procedures, board meetings, site inspections, preparation of reports etc. that Mepa has to perform. In fact, on 16 May an Appeals Board is to decide on a similar application no. 04286/99. If the suggestion mentioned above is applied, no time is wasted and such boards can concentrate on other things, besides saving public money which can be utilised for better causes.

It seems that the developer is playing with time and waiting for the right opportunity. I wish to quote Mepa’s auditor Mr. Joseph Falzon where in a recent interview with a local newspaper, he said: “He who has financial and political strength is already at an advantage as he has all the necessary means. In the majority the strength is economical as he has the means to make more pressure.’’

Such a declaration should make one worry, because I believe that law and policies should be the same for all. It is not fair that developers, because of their economical strength, get what they want at the expense of others.

I would appreciate if the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who is now responsible for Mepa and is taking the environmental issue very seriously, would take personal interest and see that no development is permitted in this scheduled and protected site between Triq it-Tonn and the foreshore at St Paul’s Bay.

Unless it is not for the benefit of the Maltese people (and not for a particular individual) I wish that applications inside these zones should not be considered outright, and that due consideration to such a proposal is given in the coming Mepa’s reform.

John Mifsud

St Paul’s Bay