There were no beautiful butterflies and crimson dragonflies in Sandra Barcon’s garden when she returned home from abroad after the hundreds of trees beside her home were ripped out of the ground.
Before Ms Barcon bought her house in Żebbuġ 18 months ago, she had been told the land was a protected green area – only to return from her holiday to find out that this was not the case.
According to residents present at the felling some three weeks ago, hundreds of trees on the land between is-Siġġiewi and Ħal Mula streets had been dug up within hours by GAP Holdings Ltd and the evidence hastily removed, leaving a scene of devastation in place of what had previously been an area of natural beauty.
Further investigation revealed that an application for a permit had been filed to construct a development of 159 garages, 137 dwelling units and 20 penthouses. However, no permit had yet been approved.
The residents quickly lodged a complaint with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, which said when contacted that a stop and enforcement notice was issued against the clearance of top- soil and site excavation without a permit. Mepa also passed on all the information related to the felling of trees to the police.
“What was once a beautiful meadow has been devastated in a matter of minutes,” Ms Barcon said, pointing out that many other residents feel the same way.
“Our beautiful view has been converted to what will probably be another block of flats,” another resident, Sara Zammit Tabona, said.
Moreover, Ms Zammit Tabona said, the loss of trees further decreased the already limited number natural environment areas in Malta.
“Even if the developers are fined, this will not reflect the damage they have caused to the natural environment without getting the permit from the government to do it,” Ms Barcon said.
The most effective punishment for people who took that kind of action, she said, was to make them re-plant the trees and revoke their permit for at least 12 months.
When contacted, GAP holdings Ltd owner George Muscat said the company had always abided by the law.
Asked why Mepa had issued a stop and enforcement notice, he said, “That is what they are saying. We don’t do anything without a permit.”
Mr Muscat said the company knew what it was doing and was “in accordance with the law”.