Bus depot application appeal to be reconsidered

The Court of Appeals has annulled an Appeals Tribunal judgement which had upheld Mepa's decision not to grant a permit for the construction of a bus depot in an area outside the development zone in Zebbug. The court ordered that the case be sent back to the Tribunal to be decided upon once again. The court heard that on May 12, 2011, the Mepa board refused an application filed by Raymond Fenech for the building of a bus depot, including a bus parking facility, a bus maintenance shed and a bus washing facility with underground reservoirs at Zebbug. The board had based its refusal on the basis that the site was ODZ and there was not enough justification for a bus depot to be constructed in this location. Mr Fenech appealed, arguing that when refusing a planning application Mepa was bound to give specific reasons for the refusal, which reasons had to be based on existing plans, policies and other material considerations.   On September 15, 2011 the Appeals Tribunal rejected Mr Fenech's appeal and confirmed the Mepa board's decision.  It gave reasons why the application filed by Mr Fenech ought to be refused. Mr Fenech then appealed to the Court of Appeal claiming that the tribunal...