Ġustizzja għal Artna 'extremely worried' after Abela speaks of local plan change
'Local plans are one of the few tools currently restraining predatory overdevelopment'
Environmental NGOs have raised concerns over Robert Abela's suggestion that local plans could be revised, warning the move could further open the door to overdevelopment.
The Ġustizzja għal Artna campaign said it was "extremely concerned" by the Prime Minister's remarks that he would revise the Local Plans if no consensus is reached on the Planning Reform.
Answering media questions on Saturday, Robert Abela had said that he will only move forward with planning reforms if there is a consensus, but added that reforming the country’s local plans was long overdue.
The coalition of environmentalist groups warned that references to addressing "injustices and anomalies" created by the 2006 revisions could signal an intention to "further weaken planning regulations and possibly revise the development boundary so as to include more ODZ land into the development zone, rewarding some of the supporters and donors of the ruling party”.
Local plans determine what areas in Malta can be developed and which parts remain outside the development zone. They also determine the height and use of buildings in specific areas.
The eNGOs alleged that the recent partial reviews of the Local Plans “rewarded and accommodated certain developers such as Tal-Franciz in Villa Rosa and the Tal-Malla illegal settlement in Xewkija, to the detriment of the public.”
The coalition said they had little confidence in the government and political appointees at the Planning Authority to carry out reforms in the public interest.
“They do not have the credibility to carry out a review of the Local Plans which is beneficial to the environment of the country, and such an exercise will likely lead to even more intensive environmental destruction”.
They said local plans are one of the few tools currently restraining predatory overdevelopment adding that the coalition’s “campaign of resistance” will be extended to any revisions of the Local Plans.
“This will take place until the ENGOs are convinced that the process is being driven by persons of known integrity, is based on scientific studies and is taking due account of public participation,” they said.