A disgraceful set of changes to planning laws that spit in the face of the public interest
Momentum vehemently condemns the proposed radical overhaul of the planning laws, presented just before the summer recess. These changes are a clear attempt to favour big developers at the expense of ordinary citizens and the natural environment. The proposals dismantle crucial legal safeguards, create alarming loopholes for developers, and actively silence the voices of the public. Rather than addressing the systemic failures that have led to overdevelopment and environmental degradation, these revisions will accelerate the damage to our communities and landscapes.
The proposed changes create a hostile environment for public participation and legal recourse. The appeal process is being made deliberately difficult and subject to non-appealable fines if deemed “vexatious”, which is definitely a measure designed to intimidate objectors. To add insult to injury, the courts will be stripped of their power to revoke permits, removing a vital judicial check on the Planning Authority’s decisions.
Transparency is also being eroded, with proposals allowing the Planning Tribunal to alter PA decisions without informing third parties. Included is a cynical new rule that deems notifications as “instantly” received via email, robbing appellants of precious response time if they do not see an email immediately.
It gets worse! The new rules pave the way for unchecked development with a complete lack of legal certainty. The Planning Authority will be given the discretion to simply ignore its own policies, while its Executive Council will gain the power to change building height limitations. The environment faces a new major threat, with the proposed sanctioning of permit-free deposition of inert waste. Another especially alarming loophole would allow for “demountable structures” in ODZ without a permit, as long as they are not visible from the street. This opens the floodgates for structures like large sheds or enclosures, further destroying our dwindling natural spaces.
Momentum Chairperson Arnold Cassola said, “The rushed nature of this so-called reform, with no public consultation to date, exposes the government’s complete disregard for the interests of the residents of Malta. By giving the PA discretion to ignore its own rules, stripping the courts of their power to revoke permits, and creating loopholes for so-called ‘demountable’ structures in ODZ, the government is prioritising the profit motives of powerful developers.
The new laws will completely erode the quality of life for everyday citizens, all while allowing for the unchecked destruction of our natural heritage.”
“This short-sighted approach will only perpetuate the existing chronic problems of over-development affecting our country, and it is nothing more than a blatant attempt to sideline the concerns of those most affected. Momentum stands firmly opposed to these dangerous reforms” concluded Cassola.
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