The land is situated in Triq il-Marfa, Mellieħa – right outside of David’s home. Yet, he never really paid much attention to it.

However, once he began noticing the boats occupying the area, he grew suspicious and decided to conduct his own at-home investigation.

Through this, he discovered the illegality indirectly linked to the Minister for Tourism and sent it both to the newsroom and to Mellieħa Mayor Dario Vella.

Consequently, Lovin Malta looked into the issue and this newsroom can confirm that a permit application (PA/08247/20) was submitted by Gerbulin Investments Ltd – with the attention of Godfrey Bartolo – in August 2020.

The application proposed to change the use of the land from being disused and barren to a temporary car parking area from the beginning of May to the end of September. This was refused in 2022 by the Planning Authority (PA).

Nonetheless, the area has been used as a car park charging €5 per vehicle for the last three years and according to David, the land sees around 100 cars a day. It has now expanded its remit by including the storage of boats.

Meanwhile, the directors and shareholders of Gerbulin Investments Ltd are Godfrey Bartolo, David Bartolo, and Joseph Bartolo; who are allegedly Clayton Bartolo’s father and uncles, respectively.

The architect of the application is Gilbert Bartolo who is believed to be the minister’s brother.

The minister has no direct connection to the company.

This is not the first time a company owned by the three brothers has received national interest. Back in 2022, it was reported that the minister stated that there was no conflict of interest over his father’s Comino boat ferry service operated by his company; Pleasure and Leisure Ltd.

Hence, while this newsroom cannot definitively say that they are related, it is highly likely that the three Bartolo business owners of Pleasure and Leisure Ltd are the same ones connected to Gerbulin Investments Ltd.

Furthermore, upon speaking with Vella, David was allegedly told that an “illegality is an illegality” and was informed that the Council would report the site to PA.

Vella has confirmed that a report was made to the PA by the local council. However, an official confirmation from the authority of this claim is pending.

Lovin Malta has also reached out to the tourism minister for a comment on the accusations.

UPDATE: A source from Mellieħa told Lovin Malta that the boats are being stored in the area in an effort to aid boaters amid the storm. Nonetheless, the illegal car park claims remain pertinent.

What do you make of this?

*The name has been changed to protect the person’s identity.