The undersigned ENGOs have taken note of Minister Clint Camilleri’s plans to scale back the amendments to the Development Planning Act.
The ENGOs wish to emphasize that every provision in the amendments to the Development Planning Act has the aim of eliminating an existing environmental protection. None of the provisions are meant to protect the environment, and no safeguards are present to restrict the use of the more expansive and ambiguous provisions. Furthermore the amendments do nothing to approve the quality of our lives, our building or natural environment.
The ENGOs also note that the Minister essentially acknowledged that many of the provisions would have led to unpredicted consequences. This is the clear result of the fact that no consultation with environmental organisations was held, and that no studies were carried out to assess the need or impact of these changes. Indeed, it is clear that the intent of the reform was to move from a rules-based system established on policies to a system where everything was to be assessed on a case-by-case basis to accommodate vested or clientelistic interests.
Even taking into consideration the Minister’s comments that parts of the most egregious elements of the reform will be toned down, the ENGOs cannot possibly accept a situation where the remaining provisions remain on the books. Due to the lack of provisions which improve environmental protection, the end result remains a net harm for Malta’s environment.
The NGOs remain extremely concerned about a number of matters.
The Planning Authority will maintain the ability to rezone areas and increase building heights arbitrarily. In particular the Minister seems to be receiving the wrong advice on the matter as the proposed amendments clearly allow ODZ areas to be turned into development zones.
The Local Plans, which provide crucial planning and environmental protection constraints, will still lose their standing and be overridden by more recent lower level policies which allow loopholes in favour of developers.
Moreover, the Planning Board will no longer be considering environmental and sanitary constraints when determining a planning applications.
New so called “vested rights” will obstruct future Governments from improving environmental protections as circumstances dictate.
Given the situation, the only decent thing to do is to withdraw the reform and start from scratch. This should include proper consultation with stakeholders, studies showing the need and impact of the proposed solutions, and a strong commitment to improve Malta and Gozo’s environment, instead of fattening the pockets of those who are destroying it.
Failing this, the ENGOs wish to reiterate that they are ready to use every democratic means at their disposal to persuade the Government to withdraw this reform.
Organisations
Birdlife
Din l-Art Ħelwa
Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar
Friends of the Earth Malta
Għawdix
Moviment Graffitti
Nature Trust Malta
Ramblers’ Association of Malta
Wirt Għawdex
