1,807 enforcement reports in 2012

In 2012, the general public reported an average of five cases of planning irregularities each day to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

In that particular year, MEPA's Enforcement Directorate received a total of 1,807 complaints on planning irregularities, which was a decrease from the 2,105 of the previous year on sites that did not already have an Enforcement Notice issued on them.

This emerges from MEPA's recently published annual report for 2012.

According to MEPA Director for Enforcement Alexander Borg, all these reports were investigated and a report on the findings was sent to complainants (unless they decided to remain anonymous).

According to Borg, the Enforcement Directorate curtails illegal development by focusing on preventive measures. This is achieved by promptly reacting to reports on illegal development and through effective monitoring of works in progress. This makes it possible for MEPA to detect irregularities from the outset.

MEPA's enforcement resources were strengthened in 2012 through the appointment of two compliance and unit managers. Borg said that the introduction of daily fines helped to create a disincentive for new illegal development, and they serve as an impetus for the removal of illegal development by the contraveners themselves.