An illegal development that includes a concrete batching plant and a yard for storing heavy machinery and vehicles has been operating in a quiet, agricultural area in Mġarr for over a year. In spite of an enforcement notice (EC/00040/20) and daily fines issued by the Planning Authority (PA) since March of last year, the site, in Triq il-Palma, has been expanding. The site, which is outside the development zone and has been scheduled as an area of ecological importance and high landscape value, has seen such extensive flouting of planning laws that the PA is also reviewing the case for potential direct action. Besides a concrete batching plant and heavy machinery, the area was altered significantly, featuring underground structures to store materials, a room that is used as an office and various piles of construction debris which are stored on-site. Camilleri had tried to sanction (PA/ 03648/20) a tented structure used to store debris as well as the removal of soil to create a parking area for vehicles. That sanctioning application was refused at the end of April, a PA spokesperson told Times of Malta. Camilleri is being fined daily for the illegality as well as for additional...