The illegal structures on farmland in Gozo’s San Blas bay were dismantled on Tuesday just a day after the planning authority issued an enforcement order.

Times of Malta is informed that the small illegal structures – a gate and a metal frame – were removed by the property owner and developer Joseph Portelli, who said they were originally erected for his personal use.

Following various media reports, Mepa’s enforcement officers on Monday went on site and stopped the illegal works. The authority also ordered the complete removal of the illegal structures and issued a daily €50 fine against the developer. Mepa yesterday rebutted claims by NGOs of “inaction” over these illegalities.

The authority also denied accusations by various environmental NGOs that the authority had ignored an earlier report filed over this case on June 18 and only acted in view of media reports. “Mepa has received a report related to an illegal kiosk in San Blas but there was no relation with the site in question,” a Mepa spokesman told Times of Malta.

“Furthermore, last week the complainant was informed that the illegal kiosk operating in San Blas was already subject to an enforcement order. The report was submitted by an individual and not by an NGO,” Mepa said.

On Monday, an official from Flimkien ghal Ambjent Aħjar criticised Mepa, alleging that instead of sending its officers to check on the report, the authority had asked the complainant for a site-map of the illegal structures.

Mepa also said it was taking reports of illegal developments, particularly in outside development zones, very seriously, so much so that it has introduced a system whereby such reports were investigated within 48 hours of reaching it.

According to the authority, the enforcement arm of Mepa has also been strengthened, with more manpower dedicated to inspections.

The authority said it had increased the number of inspectors in this area from four to 13.