The owner of an illegal camper van operating a business on a protected Natura2000 area will start being fined daily until its removal, ERA has confirmed.

Following a report written by Lovin Malta on the aforementioned contravener, the Environment and Resources Authority confirmed that it is going to take all necessary action.

Not only will the owner, Fabian Sacco, be fined daily, but ERA will be fining the guests renting out the camper van as well. 

“ERA issued an enforcement order on the contravening owners of the camper van, VanCation Malta, and any person who is, or will, be using this vehicle, including paying customers,” a representative for ERA told Lovin Malta.

“It will continue to take all actions afforded by law, including fines starting from €100 and increasing daily, against the owners and users of this irregularly-placed vehicle,” they said. 

“If the irregularity is not removed by its owners, ERA will proceed with direct action, to remove the irregularities at the owners’ expense,” it assured.

What seemed to be just an illegal caravan in an area of special conservation turned out to be a small business, illegally making money off of public land.

When Lovin Malta asked Sacco for the necessary permits to carry out such an operation, Sacco claimed that no permits were needed. 

ERA also confirmed with Lovin Malta that a permit was never granted for such an activity to take place in an area of conservation.

Upon booking, people are told to pay €100 at the time of booking, with the rest of the payment balance being due five days before arrival.

A €100 damage deposit is also required. For a minimum two-night stay over the weekend, it would cost €203.

When the newsroom then set up a meeting with Sacco, with the view of giving him the opportunity to better explain the operations, he cancelled the meeting just minutes before, insisting that his lawyers advised him not to.

What do you make of this breach of public land?