Large factory in Mrieħel starts being pulled down

The Planning Authority yesterday resumed its direct action to tear down a large former wood factory illegally built in the 1980s in an ODZ area along Triq l-Imdina, Attard.

Last January, when the authority moved in to commence its enforcement operation, it was held back after the court temporarily accepted a prohibitory injunction filed by the contravenor. The court subsequently refused the contravenor’s request, giving way for the authority to resume its direct action.

The illegalities being removed and which are spread over 2,500 square metres, include a large single-storey building, with some rooms on the rooftop, the formation of a long, concrete driveway and platform, boundary walls and the deposit of inert material around the site, the Planning Authority said.

Its had already removed various animals and mixed materials from within the building and site.

The Planning Authority said it was leading the operation in close co-ordination with the Environment and Resources Authority, WasteServ and the police in order to ensure the proper handling of the substantial volume of mixed waste on the premises. The operation is estimated to last a couple of days.

The authority had refused to grant planning permission when an outline development application was submitted in 1999 seeking to retain the building. This decision had been confirmed by the Appeals Board.