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5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 8 JANUARY 2025 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt 2012 3152 2013 3669 2014 3911 2015 4935 2016 7972 2017 11121 2018 11480 2019 10003 2020 8981 2021 9049 2022 8068 2023 7802 2024 8717 DEVELOPMENT applications increased by 1,115 last year when compared to 2023 figures, suggesting a resurgence of in- vestment in the property sector after a two-year dip. The exercise conducted by MaltaToday using data that is publicly available on the Plan- ning Authority website shows that there were 8,717 planning applications. Nonetheless, the number of development requests still re- mains considerably lower than the pre-pandemic peak in the three years between 2017 and 2019. During that period the number of applications pre- sented each year surpassed the 10,000 mark. However, requests for new permits in 2024 was high- er than in every year between 2012 and 2016. The number of planning ap- plications had already dropped from a record 11,480 in 2018 to 8,981 in 2020 only to in- crease again to 9,049 in 2021. But subsequently the number of applications decreased again to 8,068 in 2022 and to 7,802 in 2023. Requests for planning permits in 2023 were the low- est since 2016. The number of planning and zoning applications only offers an indication of the state of the construction industry. This is because planning permits are submitted for a wide range of works, ranging from new res- idential blocks to agricultural stores and reservoirs. Moreover, not all permits are approved and works do not al- ways commence immediately after approval. Permits remain valid for five years after being issued and owners may bide their time before commencing works. But the number of planning applications does offer an in- dication of confidence in the property market and willing- ness of owners and developers to take risks. Stakeholders confirmed that although the construction sector had remained resilient during the pandemic, it was passing through a 'cooling-off' period following a peak in 2018. Factors which contributed to the dip in permit requests were the general election, which dominated the first quarter of 2022 and inflationary pressures triggered by the war in Ukri- ane. The latest surge could re- flect a more optimistic mood in the sector but could also raise sustainability issues due to increased pressure on neigh- bourhoods. The upsurge in applications between 2017 and 2019 reflect- ed demographic changes and economic growth in that peri- od but also more liberal plan- ning policies since 2013, which allowed higher developments within development zones. Increase in development applications signals resurgence of property sector IT'S time for Malta's elector- al laws to make space for small parties, or risk having an ev- er-growing chunk of the elector- ate become apathetic, President Myriam Spiteri Debono stated. On TVM's Xtra on Mon- day, the show's host Saviour Balzan quizzed the President on a number of statements she made in speeches in less than a year since taking office. When asked to explain why she had mentioned electoral legislation, Spiteri Deboni said that she had been speaking about the need for parties in parliament since the 1990s. "The people have already shown us that they're ready to sit out elections last June," she said referring to the MEP and local council elections. "Are we really going to cling on to the same system when the people are showing us that they're pre- pared to stay at home during elections?" Commenting on the cur- rent electoral system, Spiteri Debono spoke with frustration about the fact that as of right now, third parties can only be elected in theory. Here she called on those who aspire to enter politics under a new banner to stick togeth- er and find common ground. When she was directly asked by Balzan whether she believes the current players are frag- mented, the President said yes. The President also discussed the importance of better par- ty financing laws, noting that there are "perceptions that po- litical parties have certain obli- gations," to which Balzan said "there's a perception that the parties are bought." Spiteri Deboni called on re- ducing these "obligations." She further spoke about the prevalence of MPs being paid for sitting on government boards, and how this is nec- essary because they are not currently being paid enough. "Sometimes I feel like we've built the parliament building alone. We cannot move for- ward with just a building," she stated, referring to the lack of proper parliamentary struc- tures and systems. Meanwhile, President Spiteri Debono was also asked on the upcoming discussion on eutha- nasia. She noted that the dis- cussion on this sensitive topic should be profound, adding that during this discussion, the exact type of euthanasia that could be introduced should be defined. Pairing euthanasia with abor- tion, she said that a referendum on each issue would be the best tool to decide a way forward on the controversial subjects. On the Malta Community Chest Fund (MCCF), which Spiteri Debono described as "the national charity," she not- ed that its original purpose was to give aid for a number of so- cial problems, but by time, it was "engulfed" by the need for oncology treatment. When asked whether she's eyeing more changes to the MCCF, the President said that there was a time when NGOs would approach the fund for help in rolling out projects, adding that the time has come to revisit this concept. Finally, the President was asked about her relationship with the Prime Minister and opposition leader. She ex- plained that while her relation- ship with them is good, "it can always be better," adding that she meets with them regularly, and that there are things which she needs to iron out with both of them. President calls for reforms to end political duopoly Speaking on TVM's Xtra, President Myriam Spiteri Debono stated that small parties need to find common ground if they want to succeed, saying they are currently fragmented 'The people have already shown us that they're ready to sit out elections last June' (Photo: James Bianchi/ MaltaToday)