The undersigned ENGOs, which form part of the Ġustizzja għal Artna campaign, have taken note of the Government’s intent to reform the planning appeals process so as to suspend works while an appeal is being heard.

The ENGOs express their hope that this reform will be a simple amendment to the existing law regulating appeals and that no other unrelated provisions will be bundled with this change.

The ENGOs wish to remind that when Bill 144 was presented, this included several other provisions which severely restricted and impacted negatively the right of appeal for ENGOs and objectors.

These included fines of EUR 5000 for filing so-called ‘vexatious appeals’, the restriction of the grounds on which a PA decision may be appealed to those listed in an objection submitted during the processing of the planning application, the removal of the power of the Court of Appeal to annul permits, and the granting of a new power to the Planning Tribunal to completely reconfigure the entire development as it wished during the appeals process.

The ENGOs call on the Government to take this opportunity and turn the page on the mistakes of Bill 144. The ENGOs also hope that the process will be more constructive this time and that the reform will not be tabled in Parliament again as an accomplished fact during the coming months.

Signed
Front Żgħażagħ għall-Ambjent
Ramblers’ Association of Malta
Flimkien Għal Ambjent Ahjar
Din l-Art Ħelwa
Moviment Graffitti
Birdlife Malta
Friends of the Earth Malta
Nature Trust Malta
Wirt Ghawdex
Ghawdix