From Mr A. Camilleri

Joe Felice Pace, the well-known analytical writer, deserves to be congratulated for his intelligent article in “Talking point” (ToM, 16 October).

He rightly laments the lack of any effective protection given to third parties, especially to neighbours who have suffered death and destruction, air and noise pollution so that developers can become richer at the expense of the long-suffering distressed neighbours.

Mepa’s Enforcement Unit needs to be reinforced by more trained manpower and dedicated finance. Hirelings who trespass generally cause damage but the developers couldn’t care less, and never repair the damage done.

When it comes to the final (DPA 356) Mepa verification, no blend of paint will camouflage the actual fact that the developer had completely and deliberately flouted Mepa’s instructions to construct roof structures, like innumerable roof washrooms (with concrete verandas overlooking neighbours’ gardens) and roof dividing walls, only in Maltase stone and prohibiting the use of cement bricks.

Set a thief to catch a thief! Construction site management still leaves much, too much, to be desired.

It has lately become fashionable for small developers (others cannot do so) to cite their children as an excuse for their dangerous demolition, noisy excavations and dirty constructing activities, worth thousands of euros, but it cuts no ice with motivated profit-making individuals or with real estate agents.

Distressed neighbours await, with justified anxiety, Mepa’s reform by the Prime Minister. Mr Felice Pace finally suggested that these reforms should be enforced retroactively for five years, with which I fully agree.

Albert Camilleri

SLIEMA