San Lawrenz boathouses back to MEPA drawing board

MEPA had regularised a number of boathouses on the eve of the 2008 general election after approving an action plan which proposed regularising these structures. 

Six planning applications related to illegal development in Dwejra are back on the Malta Environment and Planning Authority;s agenda, although all applications carry the seal of approval of the Planning Directorate.

MEPA had regularised a number of boathouses on the eve of the 2008 general election after approving an action plan which proposed regularising these structures. But in 2010 and 2011 the MEPA board presided by former MEPA chairman Austin Walker denied a permit to a number of similar structures, insisting that these were built illegally in a scheduled zone.

In 2014 a number of these decisions were overruled by one of MEPA’s two appeals boards. But the other appeals board refused to sanction another boathouse, insisting that this was in violation of the Sixth Schedule which stops MEPA from regularising any development carried out on scheduled sites like Dwejra.

MEPA’s agenda for 26 April includes three applications which have already been refused by MEPA in 2010 and 2011 which are now back on the drawing board. 

Another application seeks a permit for the reconstruction of a boathouse which collapsed during works to replace a dangerous road.  MEPA’s Heritage Advisory Committee is objecting to this permit.

Another application seeks the replacement of a ceiling and the construction of a boundary wall.

MEPA is also considering an application presented by one of the applicants whose boathouse was regularised in 2008 but who had to reapply because the permit was never issued after he failed to pay the due fines and bank guarantees.

Since the application is brand new MEPA initially informed the applicant that the application was in breach of the Sixth Schedule which bans it from regularising any development on scheduled sites. But the case officer insists that the Sixth Schedule does not apply to this case as the development was carried out before 2008 and the first application to sanction was presented in 2000.

In the past MEPA has argued that the Sixth Schedule does not apply to cases when an application to sanction was presented before 2011.