Momentum asks Ombudsman to investigate handling of illegal Armier villa
Party seeks independent inquiry into planning enforcement, protection of public land and authorities' response
Momentum has formally requested the Ombudsman to open an independent investigation into the public authorities' handling of the illegal villa at Armier.
In a statement on Monday, party executive member Matthew Agius said he has formally requested the Commissioner for Environment and Planning within the Office of the Ombudsman to open an independent inquiry into the handling of the illegal development, including possible failures in planning enforcement, protection of public land, and coordination between public authorities.
Last month, the developers of an unauthorised villa in Armier and subject to an enforcement notice had started dismantling the structure following widespread public concern and media scrutiny.
The structure was constructed very quickly without a permit on public coastal land adjacent to a protected Natura 2000 site, with Malta Ranger Unit documenting how it went from just a collection of bricks on May 29 to an almost completed villa by June 10.
The MRU had lodged several reports to the Planning Authority. The contravener was told by the PA he had 16 days to restore the site to its original state.
“Instead, he continued the work. Not once, but day after day after day,” the MRU said.
While partial dismantling of the structure began on June 16, subsequent inspections by environmental rangers in July revealed that demolition works had stopped after only one day, leaving the structure substantially intact.
On Monday, Momentum asked the Commissioner to “examine whether the relevant authorities acted with the necessary urgency and whether all available legal powers were properly used to safeguard public land and ensure full restoration of the site”.
“The Armier case raises serious questions about the ability of public institutions to protect public land and enforce planning laws when faced with deliberate illegal development,” Agius said.
“An independent investigation is necessary to establish whether existing procedures were followed, whether there were administrative shortcomings, and whether lessons need to be learned to prevent similar cases in the future.”