PN submits formal response to ‘so-called’ planning reform, calls for withdrawal

The PN has submitted a formal response to two proposed laws outlining sweeping changes to planning law, calling for the government to “immediately withdraw” the bills and launch a “genuine” consultation process.

The submission follows a government announcement earlier this week that more than 1,500 responses had been submitted during a four-week consultation on the proposals, which came to an end last weekend.

The PN made similar calls for the bills to be withdrawn last month.

In a statement Friday, the PN stressed that “any reform of the planning system must be serious, transparent, fair and holistic, based on scientific evidence and on broad and participatory consultation”, while describing the bills as “so-called planning reform”.

“Instead of strengthening the planning system, the government’s draft amendments will weaken it. They will reduce citizens’ rights, give excessive powers to the executive and the minister, and encourage abuse and illegality”, the party said.

Describing the changes outlined by Bills 143 and 144 as “carrying serious risks”, the PN said the proposals “undermine the hierarchy of law and further erode public confidence in the planning system”, restricting access to information and opening the door to regularisation of illegalities, including in outside development zone (ODZ) areas.

“The aim should be to restore certainty, predictability and justice in the entire process, not to allow more room for interpretation, arbitrariness and abuse”, it said.

The bills have faced considerable backlash from NGOs and activist groups such as Moviment Graffiti, which said the laws would "inflict irreversible damage" on the country's environment.

The PN said it had already proposed the suspension of “any permit” under appeal, which it said ran counter to the government’s proposals, which “effectively restrict the public’s right to appeal planning decisions”.

It added that the proposals would go a step further and weaken the courts by preventing them from directly striking down illegal permits. “There are even clauses allowing works to start while an appeal is still pending – and even if the permit is later annulled, the works would still be considered legal”, the PN said.

The party said such changes would “favour lawbreakers”.

Meanwhile, the proposals would “diminish the role of the environment”, it said, describing the drafted changes as “sidelining” environmental and sanitary considerations of projects.

“The consequence is clear: more uncontrolled construction, less protection for our natural and urban environment, and a poorer quality of life for citizens.”

The PN also stressed the need for a “formal mechanism of impartial mediation and clarification between the [Planning] Authority, applicants, objectors, NGOs, internal and external consultees of the authority, local councils and citizens.”

Such a process should “serve to clarify and resolve many issues at an early stage, avoid unnecessary confrontation, and reduce costs and delays for all parties.” 

The Nationalist Party would continue to propose a “concrete alternative” putting people and the environment at the heart of the planning system, the statement read.

The statement was signed by shadow planning minister Stanley Zammit and shadow environment minister Rebekah Borg.