‘PA Mafia’: Construction equipment on controversial Mosta site vandalised overnight

Police are investigating a vandal attack at a construction site in Mosta, after workers this morning discovered red paint and text on two heavy machines.

The windscreen of both the heavy vehicles were covered in red paint while the side windows were covered in text reading “Planning Authority Mafia”.

The site in question is in an area known as il-Wesgha tal-Gganti, in the road next to the new Lidl supermarket, and just opposite the entrance to MCAST. AX Holdings was granted development permission for a four-storey block consisting of a showroom, five maisonettes, seven apartments, four penthouses and 18 basement garages in this archeologically-sensitive area after it was determined that the site itself had low archaeological value.

When the application was originally filed, experts had then warned that the area could yield significant findings, possibly including a hypogeum in depressions under the rocks found on the site.

But the PA earlier this week said the permission had been issued by the Planning Commission after the Planning Directorate had consulted with the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage, amongst other relevant consultees.

Police officers were on site by 7am this morning.

Investigations are ongoing.