“He had not even submitted an application, let alone obtained permission for these works, which were in fact illegal. Despite the fact that the PA ordered a stop to the works, Portelli continued,” the group said, insisting this showed “the absolute impunity Portelli enjoys, as well as how the country’s authorities continue to drag their feet in taking action”. 

The group noted that Portelli had last week employed the “usual tactic” of applying for his illegal works to be sanctioned after he started work, urging the public to object to the application. 

“We remind you that Portelli had admitted publicly that he did not have a permit for these works and without any shame said that he was sure he would be granted a permit. If the permit is in fact issued and the work sanctioned, it will show that the authorities are truly complicit in the various illegalities committed by Portelli and his friends.”

This was the latest incident, the group said, that showed that local authorities only served developers. 

The 64 flat-project has been opposed by the Qala Local Council and two environmental NGOs, Moviment Graffitti and Din L-Art Helwa, for which they filed an appeal.

An Environmental Impact Assessment was never carried out for the proposed development prior to issuing the permit, even though the site exceeds 30,000 sqm of land.

The Environment and Planning tribunal had also rejected the organisations’ and residents’ requests to suspend the works until the appeal hearing is decided.

The disputed project is part of an entire saga involving Carravan Company Limited, which has been serving as a medium in the transfer and reselling of land. The company was set up back in 2017, making €1.5 million from last May’s sales alone.

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