The MEPA Board today discussed the San Blas development - a story that was broken by The Malta Independent - taking only 20 minutes to deal with the sensitive issue of illegal development in a protected bay.

Last week The Malta Independent broke a story that land owner Joseph Portelli had cleared a sizeable patch of land of all vegetation, a metal gate and a canopy structure have been built and rubble walls have been torn down to make way for what sources said would become a camping site and a kiosk, or an exclusive beach area for a Gozitan hotel.

 Johann Buttigieg’s wife had been a shareholder on three companies alongside Joseph Portelli, however the MEPA board said that Zebbiegh Developments Ltd and Ta’ Pinu Developments Ltd had closed down or been sold off before Mr Buttigieg’s appointment as MEPA CEO. The third company had not acquired any property since 2008 but is still technically active and she is still a shareholder.

MEPA Chairman Vince Cassar was present at the meeting.