The Planning Authority has confirmed that an enforcement notice was issued against both Franklin Mangion and the Lands Authority over unauthorised development in a Natura 2000 site in Armier, Mellieħa, saying the contravener ignored instructions to stop works and proceeded with further illegal development.
Franklin Mangion, who is identified in the enforcement notice as the contravener, is a minority shareholder in property development company Solitaire Property Ltd, which is currently in dissolution, and the sole shareholder and director of Mellieħa-based condominium administration company Admin Services Ltd.
The statement was issued after the Malta Ranger Unit raised concerns over the case, saying that construction works continued despite the issuance of Enforcement Notice EC/071/26 and warning of weaknesses in the enforcement of planning regulations.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Planning Authority confirmed that it had issued enforcement notice EC/071/26 against "a known individual, as well as the Lands Authority in its capacity as landowner of the site."
The authority said the contravener had been instructed to stop works and remove the illegal development. However, instead of complying, the individual ignored those instructions and proceeded with further unauthorised development.
The PA said that in line with current legislation, the enforcement notice requires the reinstatement of the site within 16 days, adding that it will consider further action in accordance with the Development Planning Act.
The case concerns development within a Natura 2000-protected area in Armier, Mellieħa.
According to the enforcement notice, unauthorised development was carried out on the site, including the construction of a brick structure that was initially unroofed and the deposition of inert and construction material around its perimeter.
The notice states that the structure was subsequently roofed over, forming a new room described as a boathouse or beach room, while surrounding walls continued to be built.
The case is classified under boathouses and is listed as "no permission sought," with the contravener identified as Franklin Mangion.
Prior to the authority's statement, the Malta Ranger Unit had highlighted the case on social media, saying the site initially consisted of pallets and construction blocks placed on cleared land shortly before Malta's recent election.
The NGO said that within weeks the development had progressed significantly, with what it described as a "soon-to-be villa" rapidly taking shape.
The organisation said it had submitted multiple reports to the Planning Authority and expressed concern that works continued despite the enforcement action.
The Malta Ranger Unit said it intended to continue documenting the site's transformation and other similar cases, particularly where development is taking place within environmentally protected Natura 2000 areas.
Photos: Malta Ranger Unit/Facebook