The European Commission denied being satisfied with the replies it got from the planning authority over the Dwejra filming incident, as the regulator’s chairman told a television station a few days ago.

Speaking on Dissett on TVM last Wednesday, the chairman of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, Austin Walker defen­ded the permit granted to film producers to lay sand on the EU Natura 2000 site and quoted unofficial Commission sources as indicating “they will not push the issue further as they are satisfied with the replies given”.

A Commission spokesman yesterday insisted the case was still not closed. “It is absolutely not true we have told Mepa we are satisfied with their replies... For us the case is still being investigated,” the official said.

“The Commission said it would wait for Mepa’s assessment and we are specifically waiting to get the right information on the follow-up of the film project and on the site management which should have been in place.”

The spokesman added that, when asked for information, Mepa had told Brussels they had granted authorisation under certain conditions but it was only later the authority confirmed the conditions had not been respected.

“Thus, we are still awaiting Mepa’s conclusions before deciding whether we should take further action.”

Following the incident, Mepa admitted there was no management plan in place yet for the Dwejra/Qawra area, as envisaged by the EU Habitats Directive for special areas of conservation under the EU’s Natura 2000 network. However, contrary to the Commission’s position, Mepa is insisting that according to EU rules it has until 2014 to put the plan in place.

Following the laying of sand and aggregate on the rocks in Dwejra in connection with filming for an American television series, the Commission stepped in to investigate alleged damage to the site. It also wants to see whether any provisions of the Habitats Directive have been broken by the Maltese authorities.

The Commission had said that after being tipped off by Maltese NGOs, it had asked for Mepa’s assessment of the situation and whether it was possible to repair any damage. It had also enquired about site management arrangements.

Commission sources said that if, from the information being gathered by Mepa, NGOs and other interested individuals, it transpires the provisions of the Habitats Directive were not fully respected, it might start infringement procedures against Malta.