Legitimising illegality

Abstract

Now that L-lstrina fundraising marathon is over, any comment is game. The choice of venue for this year's event - Monte Krista winery at f'Hal-Farrug in Luqa - for such a charitable event should not detract from the unadulterated infringements conducted on site and in the immediate environs. Despite having had illegalities on site tacitly sanctioned by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority in December 2006, the winery's administration was presented with further enforcement action this year for converting agricultural land into an impromptu car park, for example. Against the backdrop of commitments taken by government to curb illegal developments in ODZ areas, Mepa should have not allowed the commercial use of the area for L-lstrina and for the wine festival held last September.