- Limestone rocks are the only mineral resource in the Maltese Islands. Various archaeological sites dating from the Neolithic period, show that limestone has always been an important resource for building purposes. With a population density of 1,194 persons per square kilometre (Government of Malta, 1996) - total surface area being 316 square kilometres. Malta is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The intensification of quarrying resulted from the need to supply the increasing limestone demands for the island’s building industry. The expansion of built-up areas has been immense. The total built-up area of the islands increased from 5 per cent in 1957 to 16 per cent in 1985. The last Ordnance Survey of the islands in 1983, revealed that in the south of Malta, quarrying increased by approximately 200 to 300 per cent (Balm, 1996)....(Read Full Article)

- Children are believed to be especially vulnerable due to higher relative doses of air pollution and increased susceptibility as their lungs develop and their bodies grow...(Read Full Article)

- Complaint lodged on 6 November 2006, by Ms Astrid Vella on behalf of Flimkien Ghall-Ambjent Ahjar, concerning the approval of PA 6361/04: "To demolish existing dwelling and erect apartment block with semi-basement garage". An investigation was carried out in terms of Section 17C of the Development Planning Act....(Read Full Article)

- Please note that the turquoise (blue) arrows indicate areas no longer included in the Urban Conservation Area (as of the ratification of the Local Plan) and now permitted a height up to 5 floors. Also this is a large file and may take a few minutes to load. Increasing the size of the plan by using the percentage sizing key at centre top will improve legibility....(Read Full Article)

- Ombudsman finds in favour of the right of Mepa’s Audit Officer to communicate his reports to interested parties, foremost among them complainants, other than Mepa…....(Read Full Article)