Toothless appeals process

Abstract

As amply demonstrated in one of the photos accompanying this column, the recently approved fuel station in Burmarrad has emerged like a phalanx out of the ashes and has very much come of age. The advanced state of works at Burmarrad jars with the ongoing planning appeal process, instituted by the Environment Resources Authority and the St Paul’s Bay local council, lending veracity to the claim, emblazoned on a sign on site, that the station is opening soon. This is downright outrageous, especially when one considers the anomalous situation (a fait accompli which would need to be demolished once all legal avenues have been exhausted) that will arise if the appeal against the development is indeed lost.