Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1228992
02.04.2020 10 TOWNSCAPES Planning Authority reacts to Covid-19 AS Malta and the rest of the world face disruptions in all sectors due to COVID-19, the Planning Authority is adjusting to these extraordinary cir- cumstances by adapting public meet- ings, and by extending current valid development permits by three years. One of the most important measures that governments across the globe are undertaking at the moment, is to ensure continuity in areas that can continue to function despite these extraordinary circumstances. These measures are essential to sustain economies, some of which have been crippled, to retain jobs, and to sup- port families and businesses to forge ahead with their plans where possible. Hence, the Authority has introduced a new protocol that will allow its Ex- ecutive Council, Planning Board or Commissions to conduct their meet- ings in public using electronic or oth- er viable means of communication. Similar measures are being adopt- ed by other Governments and Local Planning Authorities across the globe. Il-Kamra tal-Periti, one of the key local stakeholders has also expressed interest to continue with alternative ways as legislated, whilst applicants also have the right for their applica- tion to be decided. Public health takes precedence over all other priorities. Hence, the Plan- ning Authority will re-start the Ex- ecutive Council, Planning Board and Planning Commission public meet- ings using video conferencing. This follows the publication of a legal no- tice which has amended the way pub- lic meetings are to be conducted. An applicant, Perit, registered in- terested party and any member of the public will, at the discretion of the Chairperson, be allowed to make sub- missions related to the case the board or commission will be discussing by electronic means. Any member of the public who wish- es to participate in the meeting held through electronic means must notify the Board or Commission of their in- terest at least one working day before the date of the meeting. This measure is being introduced to allow the Chairpersons of the Board/ Commission to take any measures they deem appropriate to ensure the participation of the public. The Authority has provided a step- by-step user manual on how various users (Periti, applicants, registered interested parties and members of the public) may participate in and during any of the Council, Planning Board or Planning Commission meetings. This is available on www.pa.org.mt. The Authority has also extended by an additional three years, all devel- opment permits which, today are still within their validity period but are due to expire by, or any date earlier to, the 31st December 2022. The Authority is taking this proac- tive measure to prevent current per- mit holders from having to carry out a significant amount of works within a short period, once normality is re- stored. The measure, which applies only to permits which are already in hand, will also ensure that the rights of those granted permits are safeguarded while at the same time will decrease the bur- den of works on the community. This extension will facilitate the com- pletion of small household projects, as well as larger businesses, whilst reducing the administrative burdens related to the renewal of development permissions already in force. Importantly, it will help to avoid ma- jor disruptions which could lead to imbalanced construction across the island once the situation is normal- ised. For more information about these measures one can log on to www. pa.org.mt.