Environmental organisations called on the Government to ensure proper consultation is carried out before the revision of the local plans since wrong decisions would spell disaster.
The Government must not opt for shortcuts when our environment is at stake
Last week, the authorities announced a consultation process for the overhaul of the seven local plans, which dictate what can be built and where, down to the smallest detail.
Approved by Parliament in 2006, the local plans were harshly criticised for being implemented without any public consultation after a number of pockets of land, previously listed as outside development zones, were included in developable boundaries through a rationalisation scheme.
In a statement issued yesterday, Din l-Art Ħelwa questioned the decision to announce the revision without an updated strategy in place and recommended that the Government steer clear of “hasty and piecemeal decision-making with long-term effects on the environment”.
The NGO called on the Government to complete a full strategic plan, with all the required public consultation, before revising the local plans. This should be subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment before being adopted.
“While appreciating the Government’s desire to act in a timely manner and to encourage widespread public involvement, Din l-Art Ħelwa expects the authorities to respect all established environmental safeguards and procedures.
“Changes to the local plans will have far-reaching impacts on land use, and the Government must not opt for shortcuts when our environment is at stake,” it said.
Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar said it was worrying to hear Malta’s top authorities still speaking about the need to reclaim land or build higher.
If this was the spirit that would guide the review of the local plans, then “there is indeed cause for concern”.
The fact that the authorities were already relaxing their pledge that there would be no change to the development boundaries was especially alarming.
The importance of the local plans cannot be understated as they will regulate Malta’s environmental sustainability for the immediate future.
FAA questioned the Malta Environment and Planning Authority’s commitment to public participation since wide public consultation is being launched without an information campaign, in the summer months, when Mepa knows that the rate of public participation is at its lowest ebb.