Considered to be a protected valley, a relatively large part of Wied Ghomor has been despoiled by an illegal small building and a small poultry farm, with the area fast becoming infested with rats while also gradually being destroyed by rubble dumped on the site.
The said valley, which cuts through the localities of San Gwann, Swieqi and St Julian’s, had made the headlines after Animal Welfare officials discovered an illegal abattoir back in 2009.
The valley, scheduled as an Area of Ecological Importance and Site of Scientific Importance by Mepa, has now fallen victim to a number of other infringements in two separate sites owned by two different owners.
Speaking to this newspaper, residents of Triq il-Bies, one of the streets that overlooks the valley, said that initially, the portion of land in question, located on the side of the steep valley, was denied permission by the environment watchdog to erect greenhouses, stores and an underlying rain water reservoir (PA 1517/97).
However, in 2007, the owner was granted permission to build an underlying rainwater reservoir but was subject to certain conditions such as the rehabilitation of the fields.
When contacted, a Mepa spokesman said that the infringements in question relate to two distinctive but adjacent sites owned by two different owners who have been given enforcement notices, namely EC17/13 and EC131/13.
Mepa confirmed that PA1517/97 had been refused, however planning application PA933/07 “to construct a water reservoir, conduct maintenance/reconstruction of rubble walls, erect an open gate and conduct landscaping including topping of agricultural soil and material”, has been granted.
Mepa said that following investigations conducted by the Enforcement Directorate, it was noted that a considerable amount of inert material and soil was deposited on site and two carob trees had been removed illegally.
“The Authority issued enforcement notice EC17/13 and the contravener was instructed to follow approved plans and conditions stipulated in PA933/07 against a method statement and a daily fine notice.
“From follow-up inspections, it transpired that reinstatement works are in hand and a considerable amount of material has now been laid as a subsoil strata on the approved terraced fields with low rubble retaining walls,” the Mepa spokesman said.
Mepa further stated that the other site was issued with Enforcement Notice 131/13 following a number of infringements and the owner was instructed to remove all illegalities, including the removal of iron pilasters, a wooden gate, franka stone slabs, scrap metal and inert material, a concrete ramp, rock cutting equipment, franka stone walls, chicken coops and animal shelters, removal of soil, stairs, rubble walls with concrete and an oven.
Mepa said it is monitoring the sites to ensure that the owners comply.