Mellieha PN councillor Gabriel Micallef sent a letter to Prime Minister Robert Abela objecting to a Red Cross development that was approved by the Planning Authority (PA), which took place in a Natura 2000 site.

The letter was sent on 22 May and also addressed the leader of the Opposition Bernard Grech and Members of Parliament. In his letter, Micallef urges the recipients to intervene and assess the lack of accountability within the PA.

Pictures of the site show that the land has been excavated to make it more accessible for vehicles to pass from there.

The applicant of the development in question was Robert Brincau, who was the Red Cross director at the time, and the application was for a “Red Cross compound/emergency hub next to the existing quay.”

“Development consists of 2 modular structures on a raised platform, with amenities catering for 24hr surveillance and ancillary facilities for Malta Red Cross officials,” the description of works reads.

The application was approved on 23 November 2022, despite the Case Officer recommending that the development be refused.

The Case Officer’s report said that “the proposed development is bound to create adverse impacts on the natural rural characteristics of this scheduled coastal area, as well as unacceptable impacts on the Cultural Heritage values since the structure will intrude in the context of the existing military monument.”

In the letter, Micallef pointed out how the Planning Authority granted a permit despite the objections raised by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) and the local council.

The council objected by saying: “The Mellieha Local Council fully agrees with the scope behind this application. However, notwithstanding the adoption of modular structures, the Council objects to the occupation of a location within an area designated as Outside Development Zone.”

In ERA’s report, it said that “the proposed site is not suitable, considering the relative remoteness of the area and foreseeable significant interventions would need to be carried out to make the site amenable for the proposed use, including the creation of access to allow emergency vehicular use, the introduction of services, etc.”

“This turn of events raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of our environmental protection measures and the decision-making processes within our regulatory bodies,” Micallef wrote in the letter.

“I humbly request that you personally intervene in this matter and conduct a thorough review of the decision-making process surrounding the issuance of the permit for the development in question. I urge you to address the lack of accountability within the Planning Authority and ensure that such instances of disregarding the environmental considerations set forth by ERA are not repeated.”

He added that new avenues to explore greater transparency and public participation should also be explored in the decision-making process.