NGOs want timeframe for development planning legislation
The development planning legislation needs to be amended
immediately and made more equitable. While a recent press release
issued by the Minister for Planning Clint Camilleri promised some
changes to the legislation, there was no commitment to any
timeframes. Furthermore, there are no guarantees that the new
legislation will solve the problems our country and its citizens are
facing.
The recent decision taken by the Planning Authority to overturn a
Court of Appeal judgement, which was presided over by the
Honourable Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti, was flagrantly abusive. The
Planning Authority approved, through a summary procedure
application, two penthouses that were deemed to be illegal and not
conforming to planning policies.
The fact that the Planning Authority feels it can disregard the Court
of Appeal’s declaration and final judgment and subsequently
sanction this property is not acceptable and accentuates the urgency
with which the planning laws need to be amended. The rule of law should apply
across the entire legislation including that of planning and environmental issues.
In view of this serious situation, we have requested an urgent meeting with the Prime
Minister and the Minister for Planning to discuss proposed amendments to the
development planning laws and a committed timeframe for their implementation.
 
BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth
Malta, Għawdix, Moviment Graffitti, Nature Trust Malta, Ramblers Association Malta,
The Archaeological Society Malta, Wirt Għawdex, Azzjoni Tuna Artna Lura, Għaqda
Residenti tal-Qrendi, Għaqda Storja u Kultura Birżebbuġa, Marsaskala Residents
Network, Marsaxlokk Heritage, Nadur Nadif, Residenti Beltin, Sliema Residents
Association and Wirt iż-Żejtun