Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1537913
3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 JULY 2025 NEWS to overturn building permits can be made available by tight- ening the provisions that ensure public access to planning files. The proposed amendment introduces a proviso that "any information or documentation not expressly identified" in the law as accessible "shall not be made available, un- less otherwise provided by applicable regulations or, where appropriate, at the discre- tion of the authority". As a sop to environmentalists, the changes propose increasing the daily fines for breach of en- forcement orders to €2,000 per day from the current €50. The changes were presented to Cabinet and the Labour par- liamentary group last week with sources close to government saying there were no objections from those present. However, the sources added that several minis- ters were absent from the Cabinet meeting. Meanwhile, sources close to the parliamentary group told Malt- aToday that the prime minister even hinted that the Opposition was unlikely to oppose the chang- es. The Nationalist Party is in the midst of a leadership contest but its planning and environment spokespersons yesterday criticised the government for tabling the bills without public consultation. The PN condemned the timing of the bills, calling it an attempt to bypass democratic scrutiny. The PN warned that the pro- posed laws would strip away vital legal safeguards, limit the public's right to appeal, and grant ex- cessive powers to the Planning Authority and the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal. It also expressed concern that the courts would no longer be able to revoke permits, further weakening accountability. The amendments were crit- icised by Moviment Graffit- ti, calling them a "developer's wish list". The group said the changes dismantle all legal safeguards in environmental protection and urged the pub- lic to "prepare for the fight ahead". >> SEE PAGE 4 FOR KEY CHANGES In 2023 thousands protested in Valletta demanding reforms in the planning system What was supposed to be a simple change to stop development from taking place while a permit is being appealed has ended up being a major overhaul of the planning system.