Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/594552
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 2015 News 3 The Jeremy Boissevain Memorial Talk A few places are still available to attend the Jeremy Boissevain Memorial Talk to be held on the 4 November, this Wednesday at the Phoenicia Hotel, Floriana at 6pm. The talk will coincide with the launch of Inga Boissevain's novel 'The Maltese Marriage' published by Choppy books. The Memorial Talk will be addressed by David Zammit, Michael Briguglio, Toni Abela and Inga Boissevain. Those interested in attending should email on bcfreddi@mediatoday.com.mt before Monday noon. MEPA's magic wand turns pile of rubble into two-storey building Rural ODZ policy allows pile of rubble in Zebbug, Gozo to be transformed into agriculture store JAMES DEBONO THE Malta Environment and Plan- ning Authority has approved the "reconstruction" of a two-storey building in the middle of the Zeb- bug countryside in Gozo… instead of a pile of rubble which is what is left of an older building. The controversial approval was made possible by a policy included in the rural design guidelines – is- sued in 2014 – which include a provision allowing MEPA to grant permission for the "the total re- development" of any pre-1978 ag- ricultural building as long as the same floor space is retained. The draft policy issued for public consultation in 2013 had originally excluded "ruins" from benefitting from this policy, but this provi- sion was removed in the document approved by the government in 2014 – and this is now allowing the merest of derelict structures to be brought back to life. By approving the new building in the area known as Ta' Kenga, MEPA's Environment Planning Commission, chaired by Elisabeth Ellul, ignored the objection made by the environment protection directorate (EPD) and the natural heritage advisory panel (NHAP). Biologist Charles Grech was the only board member to vote against the controversial approval. The applicant, Nicholas Vella, was represented by architect Alex- ander Bigeni and proposed the re- construction of a two-storey struc- ture over a footprint of 25 square metres. The new building will have a floor space of 50 square metres. The two storeys will be connected through a spiral staircase. It is unclear how the upper floor can be used as an agricultural store. The site is currently proposed for designation as an Area of Eco- logical Importance and an Area of High Landscape Value. The EPD warned that "the ruins" should not be used "as a pretext for a new agricultural room on the site." It also expressed its concern on the proliferation of buildings in the countryside and also strong- ly objected to the height of the project, insisting that a two-storey development is unacceptable. The EPD's stance was reiterated by the NHAP. But the case officer report ar- gued that the building could be approved thanks to a policy ap- proved in 2014 which allows the redevelopment of any agricultural building constructed before 1978. Aerial photos dating back to 1978 showed "structural remains" and the two-storey height of the build- ing was deduced "from the shadow of the structure." Old photos of the structure were also submitted "showing remains of the tall façade of the old agricultural store." Jail for witnesses who ignore Public Service Commission summons MATTHEW VELLA NEW rules that will come into force in 2016 for the Public Service Commission – the con- stitutional body responsible for staffing in the civil service staff – will give it powers to summon witnesses under pain of a three- month prison sentence. The new legal notice intro- duces "guiding principles" that call on the PSC to "uphold... freedom from discrimination, patronage or favouritism" – im- portant principles for Labour, whose electoral pledge in 2013 in favour of meritocracy was however put paid by the hun- dreds of political appointments and 'person-of-trust' jobs inside ministries. Under the new rules, the PSC will "uphold the principles of justice, fairness, merit, equality of opportunity, impartiality, and freedom from discrimination, patronage or favouritism." The rules give the PSC powers of inquiry as well as the power to summon witnesses under pain of a maximum €1,164 fine and even a three-month prison sen- tence. PSC inquiry boards will be composed of three-man com- missions, who will have protec- tion and privilege in case of any lawsuit against them in the exe- cution of their duties as is by law given to judges in the exercise of their judicial function. YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt Two images supplied to MEPA for the permit to construct a two-storey agricultural store. The new MEPA policy will turn this pile of old rubble into a two-storey development; the same policy is being used by other applicants to turn ruins in the middle of fields into villas with swimming pools.