Around 22 entities are involved in regulating the construction process, Kamra tal-Periti head Simone Vella Lenicker said on Friday.

Speaking during a meeting between the Chamber and PN leader Adrian Delia, Ms Vella Lenicker expressed concern about the “regular” incidents reported at construction sites over the past months.

The most recent major incident was reported on Wednesday night, when an apartment block in Gwardamanġa collapsed. 

Ms Vella Lenicker said reactions to the Gwardamanġa collapse had highlighted the “fragmented” way in which the construction industry was regulated.

The Kamra tal-Periti had already highlighted "excessive fragmentation" within the sector on Thursday, in a statement reacting to the collapse.

On Friday, Ms Vella Lenicker said the Chamber welcomed plans by the government to set up a new building and construction authority.

This authority will be tasked with enforcing construction rules, overhauling existing legislation and taking over responsibilities currently under the remit of various entities and boards.

Ms Vella Lenicker said the majority of issues when it came to overdevelopment were a direct result of outdated local plans.

The strategic plan for the environment and development remained a list of goals that had not been implemented in planning policies, she continued.

Malta-Gozo tunnel

On a planned tunnel between Malta and Gozo, Ms Vella Lenicker expressed hope that a full assessment of whether a tunnel was needed would be carried out, once all the relevant studies had been published.

The KTP met with Opposition Leader Adrian Delia. Photo: PN

She said it was worrying that motions had to be passed in parliament to ensure that all the rules were adhered to when it came to the tunnel process.

On his part, PN leader Adrian Delia said the party had made its position on the Gozo tunnel clear.

He clarified that the PN’s position in favour of the tunnel was conditional on all the relevant studies and processes being carried out and showing that the benefits outweighed the costs.

Dr Delia emphasised the need for these studies to be published prior to a public consultation taking place, and not merely attached to the tender.

Turning to the construction industry, Dr Delia said there was a need for proper planning rather than just issuing permits.

Dr Delia said political parties in government tended to think in terms of the short-term election cycles.

The PN leader said there was need for more forward planning and long-term master plans.

Dr Delia said there was a need to place more emphasis on enforcement rather than just looking at regulations when it came to construction.

He called for the formulation of architecture, landscape and skyline policies.