Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/544403
2 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 22 JULY 2015 News Owners to pay a fine to regularise illegalities CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 At present, properties in a state of illegality and which lack a per- mit, cannot be sold, modified or redeveloped. This renders such buildings uninhabitable while also dimin- ishing their commercial value. But a planning amnesty through which owners can pay a fine to become legal, will al- low them to put these proper- ties back on the market. In February, the Malta Envi- ronment and Planning Author- ity confirmed that it was con- sidering a procedure through which owners of illegal devel- opments carried out before Jan- uary 2013 within development zones, and before 1994 in out- side development zones (ODZ), could get a full permit after paying a hefty fine. MaltaToday was informed that a range of fines would ap- ply to different categories of illegal developments, each of which will be subject to a dif- ferent fine. Interviewed by MaltaToday in December 2014, planning par- liamentary secretary Michael Falzon had already hinted that the government was consider- ing a system allowing the reg- ularisation of some but not all illegalities. Existing legislation only al- lows owners to request MEPA to refrain from executing an en- forcement notice on a number of minor illegalities already defined in the law. In the past three years, MEPA approved 4,006 requests to stop planning enforcements against minor il- legalities, such as those being in breach of sanitary regulations due to discrepancies in the size of internal yards or back yards. Owners must apply through existing procedures to get a permit after removing the ille- gality, to regularise the devel- opment. But the proposed amnesty will also open a window of opportu- nity for developments made in outside development zones be- fore 1994. The MEPA spokesperson con- firmed that all owners of all ODZ developments carried out before 1994 will benefit from the proposed amnesty even if this does not mean that all ap- plications will be accepted. Existing legislation, namely Article 70 of the law, excludes the sanctioning of any ille- galities on scheduled areas like Natura 2000 sites, irrespective of when these were made. But no reference is found in the new law to the protected sites included in the present law's Sixth Schedule. Controversial developments carried out partly or entirely without a permit before 1994 have included additions to the Grotta discothèque in Gozo, the Paradise Bay lido and the various accretions added to Popeye village in Anchor Bay over the years. They also include a large number of agricultural and ru- ral structures. A number of ODZ villas and dwellings constructed before 1994 – which currently cannot be sold or redeveloped – may also be eligible for regularisa- tion through the new scheme. In its electoral manifesto the Labour Party promised that it "will continue to implement and facilitate schemes for regulari- sation for those who have minor pending issues with planning and sanitary compliance". jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Michael Falzon had hinted that government was considering a system allowing the regularisation of some but not all illegalities Public consultation on management of Natura 2000 sites launched MARTINA BORG PARLIAMENTARY secretary for planning Michael Falzon said that the public consultation over the management plans for 22 Natura 2000 sites would remain opened until the 30 September. "The public is urged to view the management plans and make sug- gestions about them on www.natu- ra2000malta.com.mt," environ- ment protection officer Stephen Saliba said. Falzon said that the management plans were not aimed at completely obliterating development in the sites, but to regulate development so that it was in line with the law and with the surrounding habitats and species. Asked how the authority would be addressing any past illegalities on these sites, Falzon said that this was under an altogether different authority and that the plan stated that development would have to conform to certain rules. "Planning laws do not entail regu- larizing or legalizing illegal devel- opments in Natura 2000 sites but it doesn't refer to already existing illegalities," Falzon said. MEPA chief executive Vincent Cassar said that illegalities had all be issued with legal notices and that they would be dealt with according- ly. He added that further research into existing sites would also be taking place. Falzon added that the govern- ment's seizure of the Munchies bar at Golden Bay had been a result of work in this particular field. The management plans had been identified and approved by MEPA to protect and conserve particular species in the area, but they would be open for consultation until the end of September, with two infor- mation meetings taking place on the 7 and 10 August, to inform the public about the individual sites. "The identification of these sites was in fulfillment of the EU's Habi- tat and Birds directives," Saliba said, adding that MEPA had chosen some 34 land-based sites and five marine sites. Saliba explained that the areas chosen were mostly bays, cliff areas and some small areas like Comino, Selmunett and Ghar Dalam, where a conservation order was enough. Falzon added that the environ- ment should be protected for all generations and that we should treat certain areas with respect and allow them time to recuperate. Some of the proposals made in- clude the expansion of habitats such as the sand dunes in Ramla l-Hamra, Gozo, and the control of alien species, among others. Saliba added that further proposals cen- tred around better monitoring of specific areas, research into species as well as raising awareness and ed- ucating the general public about the Natura 2000 project. Falzon stressed the need for re- search, backed by the necessary commitment to make a change and create a better awareness. 10 months later: Palumbo investigation still ongoing JAMES DEBONO THE Malta Environment and Planning Authority's investigation to determine whether hazardous waste was irregularly covered by a layer of concrete in 2012 is still ongoing, 10 months after enforce- ment officers collected samples from the site. In December 2014, three months after the investigation was com- menced, a MEPA spokesperson told MaltaToday that the authority had received a laboratory report on the material collected from the site. But a MEPA spokesperson told MaltaToday investigations are still ongoing. "The Authority is carry- ing out its investigations using pro- fessional specialists and laboratory services," the spokesperson said. In September the authority said in a statement it had started inves- tigating the Palumbo site after it received a tip-off that quantities of grit-blasting material were buried in the concrete foundations. From initial investigations it re- sulted that grit-blasting waste, which is generated by Palumbo's operations, had been used in the foundations of the yard and was buried under the concrete floor- ing. MaltaToday is informed that the major issue is to determine wheth- er the waste was deposited in 2012, when the area from where the samples were taken was cemented, or before Palumbo took over op- erations. Palumbo has denied dumping any grit from its operations, adding that grit-blasting has been used for the past 70 years in the shipyards. According to the company, the area from where MEPA officers took their samples was previously used as a grit-blasting and spray- ing section. The company claims that the area was covered in con- crete to create more space for boat storage. Officers also inspected a gutter which runs across the property with the consequence of possibly contaminating the inland sea. MEPA is investigating the Palumbo site over allegations that hazardous waste was irregularly covered by a layer of concrete PN leader Simon Busuttil yesterday was invited to visit the MediaToday offices in San Gwann where he met staff members and later held a lengthy and frank discussion with journalists. Photography by Ray Attard