Zammit Lewis slams PM's planning reforms committee members

Labour MP Edward Zammit Lewis has slammed the composition of the working committee set up by Prime Minister Robert Abela to oversee the public consultation on the planning reform.

While welcoming the setting up of the committee, Zammit Lewis criticised its composition saying that it sidelined individuals who had the courage to speak out politically and addressed such matters thoughtfully.

“Those who had the political character to speak up and those who approach the issue with care and detail and consistently act in the interest of the common good were left out,” Zammit Lewis wrote on social media.

The working group is chaired by the prime minister’s head of secretariat Mark Mallia and include deputy prime minister Ian Borg, Heritage Minister Owen Bonnici, Planning Minister Clint Camilleri, Environment Minister Miriam Dalli, Justice Minister Jonathan Attard, Permanent Secretary Tony Sultana, and Principal Permanent Secretary Ryan Spagnol.

The group was announced on Thursday morning after the government launched a one-month public consultation on the controversial planning law reforms.

Lawyer and activist Claire Bonello agreed with Zammit Lewis, pointing out that the composition of the working group “is not reassuring”.

“Those who are working and participating in this group should have proven experience in drafting laws  - and not be the architect of many laws that caused more confusion -  and should have spoken out in favour of the public's rights,” Bonello wrote in response to Zammit Lewis’ Facebook post.

The Prime Minister faced widespread criticism after tabling Bills 143 and 144 in parliament without prior public consultation. He only pledged to open a public consultation following pressure from protesters.

The Bills propose sweeping changes in the planning laws which include halting construction while a permit is subject to an appeal, stripping the court's power to revoke a permit, giving the planning board more discretionary powers, and more.

Environmentalists have blasted the proposals as a "developers' wish list".