MEPA considers prosecution of ‘offending’ architects
James Debono Architects who supervise works on illegal buildings in protected areas could become liable to prosecution if the Malta Environment and Planning Authority follows the advice of its auditor, Joe Falzon.
“MEPA is currently studying the recommendation made by the Auditor to refer cases of architects who supervise illegal works or who make false declarations to the Kamra tal-Periti,” a spokesperson for the Authority told MaltaToday.
The Kamra tal-Periti is the self-regulatory body legally vested with the power to discipline misconduct by any of its members.
MEPA auditor Joe Falzon, a former dean of the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Malta, proposed that any consultants who accept to advise on illegal works in protected zones should be subject to prosecution.
“Disciplinary proceedings leading to the revocation of the warrant to practice should be taken against any offending professionals,” Falzon said.
Falzon insists that any professional who is giving a consulting service to his client should be obliged to inform the MEPA if his client commences any site operations without the relevant permits or if he chooses to ignore any conditions imposed in the permit.
“Consultants should assist MEPA in its assessment of planning applications not try to find loopholes in the system or assist developers to break the law. I consider it a breach of professional ethics when a professional acts or in any way assists another person to conduct illegal activities,” the auditor wrote in a report on the sanctioning of illegal developments in the archeologically sensitive zone of Ta’ Baldu.
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