Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1505544
NEWS 16 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 13 AUGUST 2023 JAMES DEBONO THE Planning Authority is mon- itoring a stretch of terraced fields in the outskirts of Marsaskala and Zabbar after the owners contin- ued with the illegal construction of rubble walls. The PA was forced to act fol- lowing reports that the illegal works, consisting of massive rows of rubble walls and a gate, were continuing despite the owners still waiting for a permit. The fields are situated in the area known as il-Bidni and the owners of the site presented an application in May to regularise the development. The problem for the PA in this case is that it cannot issue an en- forcement order pending the de- cision on the request to regularise the illegalities. MaltaToday is informed that the sanctioning application which is still being vetted by the authority is "to sanction re- construction/restoration of rub- ble walls, construction of new rubble walls, and installation of gates". The works raise concerns be- cause these have been carried out without any guidance from the Environment and Resources Authority. Moreover, the creation of new rubble walls is often associated with the use of agricultural land for recreational purposes. What the PA can do at the mo- ment is to ensure that the work does not continue. This is be- cause the sanctioning application only applies to works carried out before it has been presented. A Planning Authority spokes- person confirmed that in this case a sanctioning application to regularise the illegal works was filed in May. This means that work should have stopped imme- diately after the application was presented. But concerned citi- zens have presented MaltaToday with a video showing works being carried out on Saturday 5 August at around 6pm. When contacted a PA spokes- person told MaltaToday that following a complaint received on the 21 July and subsequent investigations by the Compliance and Enforcement Directorate the illegal works have been halted. Moreover, another inspection by the authority was carried out on 9 August and it was confirmed that works were still at a stand- still. The PA spokesperson insisted the Authority will keep moni- toring the site and should works continue it will initiate enforce- ment procedures against the owners/occupiers. Build now, sanction later: Owner applies to sanction illegal works at il-Bidni