Reference is made to an article entitled “My building is being held to ransom” (TMIS, 24 February). The content of the article is derived from a website (maltaproject.blogspot.ie) in which Karen Costin, an Irish national, makes a number of allegations about the legal, planning and architectural communities here in Malta.

Although, primarily, the allegations and article focus on the professionals she engaged to implement her project, that of converting a “beautiful 16th century palace” in Valletta and create a natural fertility centre and boutique hotel, Ms Costin also makes a number of statements in Mepa’s regard.

Given that the newspaper chose to carry the story without attempting to verify the statements being made, the Authority is duty bound to clarify the facts and any misconceptions that concern the involvement of the Authority.

From her statement, Ms Costin seems to have been surprised that for her to carry out development work in her two Valletta properties she needed planning permission. Valletta is no ordinary place; it is a scheduled area and a UNESCO World Heritage site. All development work carried out in Valletta, be they major or minor, on a listed or unlisted property, require some form of planning permission, irrespective of whether one is a Maltese citizen or a foreign national. Besides, it is clear from documentation related to all the planning applications, that the Authority never referred to the buildings as being listed.

Ms Costin, having purchased the properties in October 2003, submitted her first planning application to the Authority in July 2004. The application was to raise third party walls at roof level and to replace deteriorated arches in one of the properties. In October 2004, the Authority granted her permission for this work to be carried out. Subsequent to this application, Ms Costin submitted a second application in June 2006, this time to open up internal doorways to link the two properties, remove an internal staircase and enclose an internal yard with a moving skylight. In August 2006 the Authority issued the necessary planning permission.

In July 2007, a third application was submitted this time for the restoration of the façade of the two properties. In October 2007, the Authority after evaluating the restoration method statement (RMS), requested further information from the applicant on the interventions that were to be carried out. A few days later, the Authority received a report that work, apart from those permitted in the two previous applications, was being carried out on site without a permit. Following a site inspection, it was confirmed that work, without a planning permit, was being carried out on the façade together with extensive excavation work within the two properties. An enforcement notice was immediately issued.

Subsequently, the architect amended the planning application to include the sanctioning of work. In June 2008, the architectural firm representing Ms Costin formally informed the Authority that it was no longer responsible for the planning application or work on site. Mepa notified Ms Costin that for the Authority to continue processing her application she needed to appoint a new architect. The Authority never received any direction from Ms Costin of what her intentions were and in August 2010, according to planning regulations, the Authority withdrew the application.  

The Authority would also like to clarify that even prior to the introduction of the new online system, it never charged applicants for drawings requested for an application to be evaluated and processed. The only fees paid to Mepa on these three applications amount to €221.29. The charges indicated in the article are between the applicant and the appointed architect.

Mepa can re-assure Ms Costin that her properties are not being held to ransom by the Authority. Mepa, through its planning policies, promotes and encourages the regeneration of old buildings in places such as Valletta, so long as the work is carried out with the necessary planning permits.

Peter Gingell 

Communications Manager

Malta Environment & Planning Authority