The Ramblers’ Association of Malta has sent a letter to the MEPA, which is shown below in full, regarding the development on the Bahrija valley floor.

Nature Trust Malta have also filed a separate report on the damage being done to the fragile ecosystem by the unsuitable development procedures. They say there is concrete evidence that the conditions of the relevant application have been infringed and the NGOs are asking MEPA to stop works and withdraw the permit.

From: Ramblers Association of Malta <ram205@gmail.com>

Date: Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 9:14 AM

Subject: Urgent Attention ENFORECEMENT OFFICE

To: complaints@mepa.org.mt Cc: MEPA Chairman <chairman@mepa.org.mt>

Ref PA07719/06 URGENT

Sir,

We bring to your attention that various conditions of the Restoration Method Statement PA 2835/2000/42, to which the captioned Full Development Permission was subjected, are being carelessly disregarded. Your enforcement to stop works is being sollicited as there are enough reasons to halt the development immediately.

We draw your particular attention to:

Condition #3 regarding external footprint and floor area, which the up-to-date development has exceeded considerably than that stipulated. Besides serious disturbance of adjacent fields and rubblewalls is evident.

Condition #6 which lays down that development be carried out in such a manner as to avoid damage to existing tress/hedges including their root system. A visit to the site will confirm that endemic tress and shrubs have been destroyed completely and removed from site. (Please refer to the pictures being sent under separate cover which show that the endemic tress and shrubs next to the old building have disappeared together with the old masonry.)

Condition #7(d)The development Control Policy and Design Guidance which should be followed where matters are not specified have been ignored because (i) truck-loads of blue clay were removed and carted away; (ii) the adjacent rubble-wall retaining the field above has been damaged by the heavy machinery used and covered with excavation material; (iii) the said heavy machiney with metal chain wheels has been used on the exisiting asphalted and concrete roads, (iv)construction material has been dumped on adjacent field.

Condition #7(e)There is no trace of the Development Permit being displayed on site. This should have been “maintained in a good condition and…remain displayed on the site until the works are completed.”

Condition #7(n)Third party rights are being infringed in that the unsuitable use of heavy machinery, and the upheaval that it has made, has caused very serious ecological damage as evidenced by the destruction of the very sensitive natural heritage of the place.You are hereby being asked to investigate and confirm the non-conformity with the PA 2835/00/42 conditions, stop works with immediate effect and forfeit permission to the developer.

Alex Vella

Hon Secretary Ramblers’ Association of Malta

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