Din l-Art Ħelwa objected to Bezzina’s ‘deceptive’ application, minister says

Environmental NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa had objected Nationalist MP Toni Bezzina’s “deceptive” development application two months after it was filed, but it was only after Labour newspaper KullHadd reported it that Bezzina decided to withdraw the application,  tourism minister Edward Zammit Lewis said.

Din l-Art Ħelwa had pointed out in an email to the Planning Authority that “the description is deceiving as it does not mention the construction of a new dwelling.” The objection also mentioned that in addition to the dwelling, “a large portion of the property is proposed to have formalised hard landscaping which can be described as a large drive into the property and the property outdoor paved areas.”

Din

During a press conference today, Zammit Lewis said that due to this kind of application from a co-author of the PN’s environment document which was recently published, the party cannot be considered trustworthy. “While saying that ODZ is ODZ, one of its own MPSs goes and files this application,” Zammit Lewis said.

Zammit Lewis added that this was not the first case involving Bezzina, mentioning the works in the Zurrieq PN bandclub.

On his part, parliamentary secretary Roderick Galdes said that as an architect, Bezzina should have acted more ethically with regard to this application. He also pointed to the emphasis Bezzina had made on the environment during a discussion on the Strategic Plan for Environment and Development, saying that his “insensitive” application destroyed the Opposition’s credibility.