Elected representatives should serve their country not interest groups, the Church’s Environment Commission said as it warned about weak planning policies to mark World Town Planning Day.

The commission said it was “ironic” that the planning authority chose the subject of “responsible planning” for a sponsored talk for the occasion. It said the country could not afford a weak planning system because of weak procedures and weak policies that failed to safeguard the common good in lieu of satisfying the interests of the few.

“We would like to remind all MPs that serving their country is not equivalent to serving an interest group, which only seeks to reap fast profits by exploiting the natural environment or intensifying construction in urban environments, which undermines rather than improves the quality of life of citizens,” it said in a statement.

It urged MPs to set aside any partisan motives and seriously consider the implications of the proposed Bills relating to Development Planning and Environment Protection.

The commission said it was unacceptable that projects in hospital-designated areas be exempt from environmental impact assessment procedures or from the development permit application process, urging the government to reconsider. It was unacceptable that “educational purposes” were being abusively used to justify developments in outside development zones, referring to the proposed racetrack, among others.

“Earmarking large tracts of land for educational or health related purposes seems to be the latest fad adopted to silence objectors of the project and attempt to justify the irresponsible (and unnecessary) use of land,” the commission said.

The result of such weak policies was already leading to situations in which a mound of rubble in the countryside justified a two-storey building.

Transparency, scrutiny and proper public participation in the planning process was crucial, the commission said.