Party at Mellieħa's White Tower had no ERA permit

A party at the White Tower in Mellieħa on Saturday night went ahead without an environmental permit, with the Malta Rangers Unit vowing to report the issue to the police. 

NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa (DLĦ), which is the guardian of the tower, said it was investigating the incident. 

The event's two organisers said they regretted the incident, describing it as a "serious lapse of judgment" and issuing public apologies on social media. 

The White Tower, better known as Torri l-Abjad, was recently renovated and equipped to organise private events.  

Saturday's party, titled “Bangers Only,” began at 3pm and continued into the evening. In promotional material, organisers told eventgoers "we're giving this tower the bang it's been asking for." 

The Malta Ranger Unit said they had first flagged concerns about the event to the Environment and Resources Authority around a month ago, noting it did not have an Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) permit.

An ERA permit is required as the Mellieħa tower is within a protected Natura 2000 site. 

The unit said that Din L-Art Ħelwa first said the event would not be held, but then changed tack and said the party would only go ahead if the necessary permits were obtained. 

“They also said that strict conditions would apply and that it would be a one-time-only event,” the MRU said. 

The MRU said that when they visited the site on Saturday, they found litter in shrubs near the tower and people relieving themselves in the bushes.

Some of the litter found by the rangers. Photo: MRU

Rangers contacted ERA, which dispatched officers to the site. The rangers said that while officers confirmed the event did not have a valid permit, they did not have the authority to shut it down. 

Once the party was over, the rangers reported seeing intoxicated people getting into their cars to drive home. One of these drivers sped past the rangers and ran over two large hedgehogs, killing them, the unit alleged.  

“We will also file a report with the MTA and Qawra Police, as alcohol was served or sold at the event seemingly without a permit,” MRU said. 

DLH is investigating the claims 

Din l-Art Ħelwa’s Secretary General, Anthony Guillaumier, confirmed to Times of Malta that the NGO had given the go-ahead for the party to take place under certain conditions, one of which was that the organiser obtain all the necessary permits. 

Guillaumier said the organiser had definitely secured a permit from the Mellieħa council, but although an application had been submitted to ERA, it appears the permit was not approved in time. 

DLĦ is still investigating all allegations made by the rangers, the spokesperson added. 

Organisers: We deeply regret this

The event's organisers, Jeffrey Farrugia and Jake Mizzi, assumed responsibility for the incident, apologising for what they said was a "clear lapse in judgment" and vowing not to repeat it. 

"I fully recognise the importance of maintaining the dignity and integrity of this unique landmark, and I deeply regret any negative impact this may have caused.

"I am fully committed to ensuring that Torri l-Abjad is preserved and respected in line with its historical significance," Farrugia said.

Mizzi issued a similar statement, saying he was "genuinely sorry for any negative impact this event may have caused" and was committed to supporting efforts to protect the landmark tower.