Reference is made to George Sacco’s letter entitled “No effective enforcement” (TMIS, 12 January).

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that Mr Sacco has an interest in ensuring that Triq is-Sajjied in Marsalforn, which is a privately-owned alley, becomes public property given the fact that he owns property beyond the alley to which he would like to have access . The alley in question has never formed part of the public domain but has always been privately owned by members of my family subject to the right of pedestrian access for farmers who tilled the land beyond the alley. 

Some years ago, Mr Sacco had purchased part of the land beyond the alley and built number of apartments. Is it any wonder, therefore, that he has been and still is yearning for this private alley to be transformed into a public road for his convenience? In the past, government authorities had placed along the said alley bollards to ensure that no one used it as a carriage way for vehicles. The alley, which Mr Sacco incorrectly refers to as a road, can never be utilised as a carriageway given the fact that it does not have the required measurements and characteristics of a public road.

We are surprised to learn about enforcement action taken by the Planning Authority as the family was never notified that proceedings had started before the Environmental and Planning Review Tribunal with respect to this alley. One expects that a country that prides itself on the implementation of rule of law, the principles of natural justice are to be adhered to without exception and interested parties are to be notified by the authorities with respect to the matter in question.

You may finally be interested to learn that, years ago, legal action had been taken by Mr Sacco before the Court of Magistrates in Gozo where Mr Sacco’s claims were roundly rejected by the court.

Edward Debono LLD