Various illegal structures removed by MEPA enforcement

The enforcement directorate within MEPA demolished a stable that was illegally constructed at a site at Ix-Xaghra tal-Pergla, in the limits of Xaghra, Gozo.

In this direct action operation, the Authority also removed over 20 cars and several car parts which were illegally being kept in this same field.

 The Authority sometime back had already identified this site for direct action, but had been stopped from carrying out its operation due to a court prohibitory injunction.

In Marsascala, the enforcement directorate demolished a number of concrete platforms that over the years have been constructed along the St Thomas Bay coast to accommodate caravans and other similar structures.

During this operation, MEPA also removed two caravans that have become permanently stationed on site.

The Authority also removed steel pipe barriers and planters that had been illegally placed on a pavement outside Villa Cassar Torregiani in Balluta Bay by a catering outlet.

These illegal structures were obstructing the passageway and preventing pedestrians from crossing over to the Sliema promenade. 

Over the past few weeks the Authority also removed a number of billboards that were either free standing or placed against a blank party wall  from several localities around Malta including Marsa, Bir id-Deheb, Santa Venera, Mriehel, Hamrun, Qormi, Zebbug and Mellieha.

Three days prior to this direct action operation, MEPA placed a notice on several illegal billboards. More than 30 billboards were voluntarily removed by their owners. This operation was carried out at night so as to minimize traffic disruption.

Following the considerable increase in direct action operations over the past months, the Authority has continued to witness a growing trend of contravenors who are wisely choosing to remove their illegal development prior to any action being taken by the Authority.

In fact, over the past month a scarpyard in the limits of Xewkija was cleared away, a garage that was illegally converted into a shop, in Naxxar, was brought back to its orginal use and an illegal structure placed in the parking area facing the main access to St. Thomas Bay was also removed.