Yesterday morning, the Planning Authority (PA) resumed its action to ensure that large quantities of illegally dumped material on land between Mdina and Mtarfa are removed.

This follows the direct action which had commenced last January but which had been stopped through a warrant of prohibitory injunction against the PA.

The site, which is situated within a scheduled Area of High Landscape Value that protects Mdina, covers an area of approximately 7,000 square metres.

The extent and the considerable depth of the illegally dumped material remodeled the profile of this part of the valley, causing a negative impact on the sensitivity of the area.

Although dumping at this site had ceased for several years, it restarted following a transfer of land ownership.

Up until the action was stopped by the court, the PA had moved in to remove truckloads of dumped material which were carted away to licensed waste management sites, whereas soil was transported offsite to replenish existing agricultural land.

After withdrawing the warrant of prohibitory injunction, the contravener committed, amongst other issues, to the full reinstatement of the affected land and the payment of pending daily fines tied to the enforcement notices issued on the site.

The removal of the illegally dumped material and reinstatement of the site is being carried out by the contravener under the continuous supervision of the PA, while the costs of the operation will be shouldered by the contravenor.

What do you make of this latest action?