News | Sunday, 18 October 2009

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5,400 enforcement notices in three-year backlog

James Debono
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority faces a backlog of 7,372 pending enforcement orders against planning infractions, of which 5,400 date back to more than three years.
This was revealed by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi in parliament, replying to a question by Labour environmental spokesperson Leo Brincat.
1,122 orders or 15% of the total number of pending enforcement were issued in Gozo. St Paul’s Bay emerges as the Maltese locality with the highest number of infractions.
A number of illegal stores used for the storage of flammable liquid bowers and construction material, in Wied Qotton in B’Bugia were demolished in a direct action operation by MEPA. But this only represents the tip of the iceberg with a number of enforcement orders pending for more than a decade.
Enforcement orders against development in the Xlendi valley in Gozo are still awaiting enforcement 12 years since first being issued.
The MEPA reform document proposes the creation of an Enforcement Directorate within MEPA, which would be allowed to enter into contracts with other regulators to assume their enforcement functions.

Localities with highest number of MEPA enforcements

Gozo 1,122
St Paul’s Bay 607
Mellieha 371
Rabat Malta 278
Siggiewi 256
Naxxar 237

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