Amendments to planning law ‘far from satisfactory’- Il-Kollettiv
'Although we have sought dialogue with the authorities from day one, it is clear that our goodwill is not reciprocated by the government,' the group said
Residents’ rights group Il-Kollettiv said the government’s amendments to one of the two controversial planning bills are “far from satisfactory”.
“Although we have sought dialogue with the authorities from day one, it is clear that our goodwill is not reciprocated by the government,” the group said in a statement.
Il-Kollettiv issued the statement after Times of Malta reported the details of one of the government’s two planning bills – Bill 144, which addresses the planning appeals process.
“The amendments to Bill 144 on suspension of works under appeal are still skewed in favour of developers, for example by giving the tribunal the power to amend and approve applications under appeal, while restricting the ways in which residents can object.”
“Our position is unchanged: Bill 144 should be amended without robbing residents of existing rights, while Bill 143 should be revoked completely.”
They said their position is endorsed by resident groups in Żurrieq, Qrendi, Ħal Safi, Żejtun, Birżebbuġa, Marsaxlokk, Marsascala, Swatar, Mellieħa, Sliema and Valletta.
One of the leading figures of the NGO, Wayne Flask, was among a trio of activists who represented environmentalist groups in talks with the government over the bill.
Il-Kollettiv added that they themselves have not received a written copy of the amendments.
“We encourage residents – whether they form part of an association or not – to attend Saturday’s protest. This is because it’s the residents who will suffer the direct consequences of these laws, the developers’ last vindictive act after a series of applications were defeated in court.”
“If the government wants to test popular anger before deciding between the money of a small elite of developers and the votes of thousands of us who have had enough of construction, then let’s give it the answer it needs to hear,” the statement said.
Il-Kollettiv is not among the number of NGOs organising the protest. They are however endorsing it.
The protest, on Saturday at 10am, will begin in front of Valletta’s law courts.