‘Mellieha quay was rebuilt, not repaired, and should have been covered by permit’

An old concrete quay at Xatt ta’ Santa Marija was rebuilt, not repaired, and as such the works should have been covered by a planning permit, according to a Mellieha local council election candidate.

Earlier this week, Ivan Castillo said he had reported the construction work but the process had carried on nonetheless. He said he later referred the case to the Environmental Commissioner within the Ombudsman’s office.

Castillo said it uploaded a number of photos showing crude works being undertaken on the jetty. The photos showed that metal beams have been placed on the existing jetty and were due to be covered with a new layer of concrete. The works have since been completed. Replying to Castillo, Labour MP Clayton Bartolo said the jetty has been there for many years and that it was only being “repaired” after it was damaged by bad weather.

A spokesperson for the Planning Authority said the works undertaken were “repairs” to an existing quay and were, as such, exempted from the requirement of permission.

But speaking to The Malta Independent, Castillo insisted that there were no repair works – the quay had collapsed and was rebuilt. “This was a new development, meaning that a planning permit was required,” he said.

Castillo also questioned the methods used, saying that construction material, including concrete, had ended up in the sea. At one point the police were called in and stopped the works, he said.

He added that, before making such statements, the PA should also see whether the original structure had been illegally built.