I refer to the letter by RAM President Alex Vella entitled: “Is the fate of Fomm ir-Rih written on the wall?” (TMIS, 14 November) which he chose to conclude by misquoting what Mepa chairman Austin Walker said at one of the monthly meetings the authority organises for eNGOs.

At this particular meeting, in reply to Mr Vella’s intervention, Mr Walker clearly pointed out that he would continue to refuse the sanctioning of residential applications that seek permission to increase the footprint in outside development zones, even though at appeals stage these decisions can and are sometimes overturned by the Appeals Board. One must remember that this board is autonomous from the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

The aim of the monthly meetings with eNGOs, which have now been going on for over a year, is to serve as a platform for discussion and dialogue whereby both Mepa and eNGOs can address and understand each other in a more effective and positive way. While most eNGOs acknowledge that these meetings are very fruitful, it is unfortunate that one chooses to misquote what is discussed to try and gain mileage out of these meetings.

Peter Gingell

Mepa Communications Office