A recent article in the press reported that the disappearance of a unique species from a formerly protected ecological zone at Portomaso may pave the way for the approval of a permit application to construct another 46 apartments in this already overcrowded development.

Is this article a smokescreen attempting to conceal the fact that one of the conditions in all Portomaso permits stated: “No extensions or enlargement of this development, its individual elements or any related development will be permitted.”

Any persons who purchased apartments at Portomaso overlooking the protected ecological zone and the sea beyond, verified the existence of this condition in all the Portomaso permits as a guarantee for their continued enjoyment of the sea views, for which they paid top waterfront prices to the developers.

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) now has no right, after it imposed the condition restricting any further development at Portomaso, to withdraw this condition and to allow further development in front of former waterfront properties sold as part of the originally approved development subject to the said permit condition imposed by Mepa itself.

If such permit is now granted by Mepa, besides consigning the ecological zone to the dustbin, besides taking this public open space away from the enjoyment of the general public, besides allowing the new development to engulf and hide the scheduled historic fortifications from public enjoyment, Mepa will surely be laying itself open to damages lawsuits from purchasers of waterfront apartments overlooking this site. Unfortunately, in this event it may well be Joe Public who will have to pick up the bill, as usual, as the taxpayer will probably be the ultimate contributor. Meanwhile, the developers will be laughing all the way to the bank.

Peter Richards

Canterbury, UK