PA to 'consider' action as building continues in Armier in defiance of its order
The building of an illegal villa was flagged by the Malta Rangers
The Planning Authority said on Wednesday that it will 'consider' further action against the owner of a villa being built illegally in Armier in defiance of its orders.
The Authority confirmed that an enforcement notice had been issued against the owner, a known individual, and the Lands Authority in its capacity as the landowner.
A notice on site names Franklin Mangion as the contravener.
"The contravener was instructed to stop works and remove the illegal development. However, the Planning Authority notes that, instead of complying, the contravener ignored these instructions and proceeded with further unauthorised development.
"In line with current legislation, the enforcement notice requires the reinstatement of the site within sixteen days. The Planning Authority will consider further action in accordance with the provisions of the Development Planning Act (Chapter 552 of the Laws of Malta)," the PA said.
The case was first flagged by the Malta Rangers, which complained that Planning Authority enforcement so far had been weak.
Photos of the site taken on Tuesday showed a roof fixed to the structure, which on May 29 was just a collection of bricks waiting to be assembled.
Outlining the rapid progression of the construction, the rangers posted photos showing bricks brought to the site at the end of May, put in place on June 3 and a worker assembling walls on June 5, when the case was first highlighted in the media.
Plastering of the walls and the installation of ceiling beams were completed by the following day, the rangers said.
A week later, despite several reports to the Planning Authority, and with the contravener allegedly spoken to by the authority, the soon-to-be villa is taking shape”, the rangers had said in a Facebook post.