Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1232859
14 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 8 APRIL 2020 COMMERCIAL WITH disruptions in all sec- tors all over the world, Malta included, due to COVID-19, the Planning Authority is adjusting to these extraordinary circum- stances 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 undertak- ing at the moment, is to ensure continuity in areas that can con- tinue to function despite these extraordinary circumstances. These measures are essential to sustain economies, some of which have been crippled, to re- tain jobs, and to support families and businesses to forge ahead with their plans where possible. The Authority has, therefore, introduced a new protocol that will allow its Executive Council, Planning Board or Commissions to conduct their meetings in public using electronic or other viable means of communica- tion. Similar measures are being adopted by other Governments and Local Planning Authorities across the globe. One of the key local stakehold- ers, il-Kamra tal-Periti, has also expressed interest to continue with alternative ways as legislat- ed, whilst applicants also have the right for their application to be decided. Putting public health amongst its priorities, the Planning Au- thority will re-start the Exec- utive Council, Planning Board and Planning Commission pub- lic meetings using video confer- encing. This follows the publica- tion of a legal notice which has amended the way public meet- ings are to be conducted. An applicant, Perit, registered interested party and any mem- ber of the public will, at the dis- cretion of the Chairperson, be allowed to make submissions related to the case the board or commission will be discussing by electronic means. Any member of the public who wishes to participate in the meeting held through electronic means must notify the Board or Commission of their interest at least one working day before the date of the meeting. This meas- ure is being introduced to allow the Chairpersons of the Board/ Commission to take any meas- ures they deem appropriate to ensure the participation of the public. A step-by-step user manu- al has been published to help the various users (Periti, appli- cants, registered interested par- ties and members of the public) participate in and during any of the Council, Planning Board or Planning Commission meetings. This is available on www.pa.org. mt. To prevent current permit holders from having to carry out a significant amount of works within a short period, the Au- thority has extended by an ad- ditional three years, all develop- ment permits which, today are still within their validity period but are due to expire by, or any date earlier to, the 31st Decem- ber 2022. The measure, which applies only to permits which are al- ready in hand, will also ensure that the rights of those granted permits are safeguarded while at the same time will decrease the burden of works on the commu- nity. This extension will facilitate the completion of small house- hold 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 major disruptions which could lead to imbalanced con- struction across the island once the situation is normalised. More information about these measures is available on the website www.pa.org.mt. Adjusting to extraordinary circumstances How the Planning Authority is ensuring continuity amid the Covid-19 pandemic