Minister's planning reform comments show 'he made a mess of it' - PN

Updated 4.33pm with PL statement below.

The planning minister's comments to Times of Malta that he will roll back some of the elements of the planning reform bills were an admission by the minister that he had 'made a mess of it', the PN said on Monday 

"The statement by Planning Minister Clint Camilleri – that he will withdraw certain clauses from the bills he rushed through Parliament without any form of consultation – is nothing but a clear admission of the government’s arrogant, ill-thought-out and unplanned approach to altering Malta’s planning laws," the party said.

"What the Labour government is trying to sell as an “aspiration” is nothing less than the suffocation of the planning system through direct political interference and decisions taken by individuals hand-picked by the Government, without any serious process of study, public consultation or parliamentary scrutiny."

The PN insisted that the reform bills must be withdrawn in their entirety and the process restarted from scratch with serious consultation and a clear vision. 

"Malta needs a holistic, serious, transparent and fair reform of the planning system. Successive Labour Governments have allowed the framework to crumble, increasing ambiguity and interpretative discretion while reducing predictability," the PN said. 

"Instead of a long-term vision that serves our communities, strengthens the economy, enhances the environment, and safeguards our cultural and historical heritage, the government is pursuing measures that run contrary to every principle of sustainable development, the fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment, justice, and good governance."

The PN said it is proposing a structured and formal mechanism that brings together applicants, objectors, local councils, NGOs, and case officers to explain, adjust and clarify conflicts. This would shorten application timeframes by reducing legal uncertainty and addressing misinterpretations early on, while increasing consistency, strengthening trust in the Planning Authority, improving development quality, and giving citizens a genuine voice.

The statement was signed by Stanley Zammit, shadow minister for planning and Rebekah Borg, shadow minister for the environment

eNGOs say reform 'remains broken'

A group of environmental NGOs in a separate statement also insisted that the reform bills should be withdrawn because even with the backpedalling announced by the minister, the end result remains a net harm for Malta's environment.

"Every provision in the amendments to the Development Planning Act has the aim of eliminating an existing environmental protection. None of the provisions are meant to protect the environment, and no safeguards are present to restrict the use of the more expansive and ambiguous provisions. Furthermore the amendments do nothing to improve the quality of our lives, our building or natural environment," the NGOs said. 

"Even taking into consideration the minister’s comments that parts of the most egregious elements of the reform will be toned down, the ENGOs cannot possibly accept a situation where the remaining provisions remain on the books. Due to the lack of provisions which improve environmental protection, the end result remains a net harm for Malta's environment," the group added.

For instance, they said, the Planning Authority will maintain the ability to rezone areas and increase building heights arbitrarily. 

The Local Plans, which provide crucial planning and environmental protection constraints, would still lose their standing and be overridden by more recent lower level policies which allow loopholes in favour of developers.

Moreover, the Planning Board would no longer be considering environmental and sanitary constraints when determining planning applications.

New so-called "vested rights" would obstruct future governments from improving environmental protection as circumstances dictate.

"Given the situation, the only decent thing to do is to withdraw the reform and start from scratch. This should include proper consultation with stakeholders, studies showing the need and impact of the proposed solutions, and a strong commitment to improve Malta and Gozo's environment, instead of fattening the pockets of those who are destroying it," the NGOs said.  

The statement was signed by the Ramblers' Association of Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Birdlife, Moviment Graffitti, Nature Trust Malta, Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Wirt Għawdex and Għawdix.

PN wants to stop planning reform it had every chance to carry out - PL

The Labour Party said it was not surprised by the 'destructive behaviour' of the Nationalist Party on necessary changes in the country.

"A Nationalist Party in government had every chance to undertake a holistic reform in the field of planning but instead put everything under the carpet," the PL said in a statement.

"Unlike the Labour Party in government, it is now proposing a reform in favour of clarity, discipline and certainty in the sector, listening to all those who have a genuine interest in it.

"With the newly issued statement, the PN is clearly going back from its Planning spokesperson's statement stating that he is in favour of planning reform. This, while saying that development works should continue pending the appeal, that those responsible of illegalities should not pay and is in favour of more bureaucratic processes," the Labour Party said.