Lija residents can soon breathe a sigh of relief as the planning authority moves in to clear a space that was illegally turned into a boatyard.

A spokesman for the Malta Environment and Planning Authority said direct action at the illegal boatyard would be taken “in the coming days”. Replying to questions by the Times of Malta, the spokesman said enforcement action was initiated in view of an unauthorised change of use.

Subsequently, the owner submitted an application to sanction the boatyard and Mepa suspended any further action and continued monitoring the site. The spokesman said the owner’s application was then withdrawn, so “Mepa will be taking appropriate action against the illegal use in the coming days”.

This newspaper was contacted by residents expressing fears about health hazards posed by the illegal boatyard. They said there were several fires, albeit small ones, that could have had far more serious consequences.