MEPA defends 'correct and legitimate' Rabat development permit

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) has expressed concerned over a report by the Commissioner for the Environment and Planning which was “selectively leaked” without MEPA's comments which show that there was no wrongdoing by the authority. 

“MEPA will not issue the full report out of prudence. However some points need to be clear from the outset,” the authority said, in reaction to a news report that pointed towards “the devious manner” in which the development application took place.

“The application was in actual fact the correct and legitimate method to file such an application,” the Authority said.

The adjacent permit that was approved in 2010 and issued in 2012 whereby the Environment and Planning Tribunal through PA 6928/05 approved an identical development.

 It said, that the circumstances between PA 1637/12 and PA 2708/14 were different. These differences had a material bearing on the application. 

“The Commissioner has conveniently not quoted PA 6928/05 as this is identical to PA 2708/14,” MEPA said.

Through case law it has been established that if the issues are identical, MEPA is obliged to take cognisance of the other permits that have been issued.  MEPA has in actual fact quoted a number of decisions of the Court of Appeal.  

“There was no wrongdoing on the part of MEPA or any other party in the matter with regards to the planning application.”

Three environment NGOs this morning called for the resignation of parliamentary secretary Ian Borg and MEPA CEO Johann Buttigieg after The Malta Independent on Sunday said the Ombudsman had identified serious internal manipulations by MEPA personnel, undermining MEPA's credibility on all counts.