There’s a story in today’s Times about how MEPA has stopped illegal works being carried out by property developer Polidano. The work in question was being carried out in the gardens of a number of Balzan townhouses that are protected. It’s the usual story, you would say, but what really sets alarm bells ringing are phrases such as:
“(…) Mr Polidano had repeatedly applied to knock down four historic townhouses in the village core to build six terraced houses with swimming pools instead.”
Repeatedly? Forgive my stupidity but can I ask a simple question: Can he do that? What is the point of a permit application system if it is not exhaustive? You apply and you either get or don’t get a permit. I would guess that that should be that. Apparently it isn’t. If someone like Mr Polidano does not like the outcome of his application then he can keep on trying until maybe somebody changes his mind – and then he will get permission to bulldoze 300-year old townhouses to build his swimming pool projects in Balzan.
If there ever was a massive WTF then this is it. Here is my hastily constructed timeline based on the facts in the article:
March 2003 – permission requested for alterations to facade etc – REFUSED
May 2004 – appeals in relation to refusal – REFUSED
December 2005 – application to transform two town houses into 43 apartments and 121 car underground park (while preserving facades) – REFUSED
April 2007 – appeal in relation to Dec 05 application – REFUSED
July 2009 – asks board to reconsider decision – REFUSED
But some people don’t take no for an answer. Notwithstanding the Inter-style track record with MEPA Polidano’s bulldozers seem to have swung into action and were busy within the protected gardens (see photos on Times report).
We are talking about gardens in townhouses in Balzan – an area famous for the citrus trees and more. We are talking about at least one of the houses having a historic value with Grandmaster De Rohan having used it as his country residence. I’d love to meet the architect who signs off these “projects” for Mr Polidano. What could be going through his or her mind when he is appending his or her name to such wanton destruction.
Worse still though is the attitude that Mr Polidano has with MEPA. Somehow you get the feeling that all the enforcement notices and orders to desist will not prevent the total destruction of the gardens in Balzan.
All the MEPA orders, and all the enforcement men will never be able to put Balzan together again.
also from Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar
3 replies on “Polidano can, if he thinks he can”
[…] It is useless giving permits to developers who will suddenly blame MEPA when their plans on paper turn out to be the hideous monstrosity that everyone else except the developers had seen (pace Albert Mizzi). It is useless “refusing” a permit if contractors feel invincible and go ahead anyway full knowing that the more development there is the more difficult will it be to refuse the next round of applications (see “Polidano can, if he thinks he can“). […]
I’m very sorry for the person who posted this crap but do you have a life, a personal life !!! What are all these attacks for to a person who was never related to a particular political party !!!! If you really have proof of what your saying, why don’t you sign your own post ???
AHH you just want to damage and darken someone’s reputation !!! Typical maltese mahruq, frustrat ghajjur kbir u qass biss hux ragel lli jiffirma xi haga li jkun kieteb!!
Well done !!! :)
I’m very sorry for you Mr R. Polidano, very very sorry.
1. What is it that you want to know about my life (my personal life) and what has it got to do with this post?
2. Would it make a difference if this person was “related (sic) to a particular political party”?
3. Yes. Proof. If you bothered to even read this post, you would have noticed that I refer to a series of documented applications before MEPA. That is called a series of FACTS. From the facts we deduce that Mr Polidano (a relative I presume) will not give up before getting the permit and that our system works in a manner that persistent applications will ultimately get a positive reply.
4. Where in the world did you get the “Musumeci-style” fixation that this post is a personal attack? Where indeed?
5. Finally Mr Polidano I assume you are prepared to eat back your series of petty insults once the penny drops and you notice that all the posts on this blog are clearly signed. In case your mental faculties still inhibit you from noticing my name that is clearly displayed under the banner here it is: Jacques René Zammit. Though of course you might be one of many who fail to notice that both Jacques and René are actual first names. I don’t blame you… in a world of Shaniyas, Nedveds and Soleils you can never be too sure.
Have a nice day Rowan (love the name, reminds me of a great comedian – a witty one though which would put him far outside your league).