Local plan revision to 'hopefully' start in two years' time - PA CEO
Johann Buttigieg discusses bills that propose changes to planning system
Work on the revision of the local plans will “hopefully” begin within the next two years, Planning Authority CEO Johann Buttigieg said on Saturday.
Speaking on Campus 103.7 during an interview with Andrew Azzopardi, Buttigieg said that changes to height limitations will be made with the revision of the local plans.
He pointed out that first the Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED) wil be revised, and then work will start on the local plans.
The CEO was being questioned on the controversial bills that propose sweeping changes to the planning system.
Azzopardi pointed out that one of the main criticisms of the bill is the fact that it gives the Planning Authority more discretionary powers to override the local plans.
Buttigieg said this was already the case when the PA carried out minor amendments to the local plan.
When asked why there has not been a full revision of the local plans, Buttigieg recalled how, in 2013, the government launched a public consultation on the revision of local plans.
Out of 7,200 submissions received during consultation, over 6,900 were requests to expand development zones, he said.
He explained that the first step is to revise the SPED, a process that has already started. Once Vision 2050 is finalised, the SPED will be updated in line with its objectives.
“After this, we’ll start working on the local plans,” he continued, adding that he hopes this will start in the next two years.
A group of environmental NGOs have called a national protest on October 4 to press the authorities to withdraw controversial bills changing the development planning process.