Ġustizzja għal Artna: NGOs demand genuine planning reform in protest at Castille

A number of organisations – including environmental groups, heritage protection organisations, and residents’ associations – gathered in front of Castille on Saturday for a press conference calling for real reform in planning.

The Ġustizzja għal Artna campaign, which began last year in response to Bills 143 and 144 and the three Legal Notices presented by the Government, is now intensifying its call: immediately withdraw the bills that threaten the future of our country, and instead give the people the planning reform they truly need, the organisers said.

The organisations recalled how the government’s attempt to introduce Bills 143 and 144 and the three Legal Notices – which, if brought into force, would effectively dismantle almost all existing safeguards within the planning system and lead to the regularisation of all kinds of illegalities – was temporarily halted after the public responded to the call for action against the Government’s dangerous manoeuvre.

At a time when our country is increasingly threatened by unchecked development, what Malta needs is planning reform that genuinely safeguards our quality of life and the future of our children on these islands – not more control and power in the hands of developers, the organisations said.

Therefore, while reiterating the call for this legislative package to be withdrawn immediately, the organisations presented key points for a planning reform that can genuinely bring about positive change. These organisations, which have for years insisted on radical changes in the planning and development sector, put forward four main proposals that should form the basis of a genuine planning reform, addressing four areas: planning appeals, enforcement, sanctioning in ODZ (Outside Development Zone), and the reclassification of land as ODZ.

They emphasised that these points are not exhaustive, as they do not address many of the flawed policies within the planning system, but serve as general principles that should be included in any reform aimed at serving the common good.

The Ġustizzja għal Artna: Ir-Riformi li Neħtieġu campaign is presenting the following four proposals:

Suspend Works During Appeals: At present, an anomaly in appeals law allows construction works to begin even while an appeal is ongoing. This has led to the absurd situation where entire buildings are completed, only for the Court to later declare them illegal. The demand is clear: all works must be suspended while an appeal is pending before the EPRT and the Courts. Clear and reasonable time limits must also be established for the conclusion of appeals.

Remove Illegalities: Rules must be enacted to ensure that illegal developments are physically removed, with clear timeframes for resolving enforcement appeals and with third parties allowed to participate in the process. Once a development is confirmed to be illegal, the Planning Authority must enforce its removal, either directly or by the party responsible for the illegality, at their own expense. All fines must be paid, and a one-stop shop for enforcement against illegalities should be established.

Prohibit Sanctioning in ODZ: The sanctioning of illegal structures in ODZ that were constructed after 2008, and that cannot be approved as minor amendments, should be prohibited.

Reclassify Land as ODZ: All areas of agricultural, natural, social, and historical value that were removed from the ODZ in 2006, and which have not yet been legally committed to development through approved applications, should be reclassified as ODZ and protected from construction.

The organisations called on the government to listen to the voice of the people and to begin a consultation process for a fair and genuine planning reform.

More information about the Ġustizzja għal Artna campaign can be found at: https://gustizzjartna.org/en/proposals 

Organisations

BirdLife Malta

Din l-Art Ħelwa

Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar

Friends of the Earth Malta

Front Żgħażagħ għall-Ambjent

Għawdix

Moviment Graffitti

Nature Trust

Ramblers’ Association of Malta

Wirt Għawdex

 

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