Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1537976
3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 30 JULY 2025 NEWS KTP in favour of planning reform but against piecemeal revisions without broad consultation THE Kamra tal-Periti has come out against piecemeal revisions with the absence of broad public participation in amending the country's planning laws. "The Council of the Kamra tal-Periti (KTP) calls, yet again, for the initiation of a formal process for deep and meaning- ful planning reform, looking at rebuilding the entire planning system from first principles, informed by contemporary and sustainable planning para- digms," it said. The statement comes in the wake of widespread criticism to government bills aimed at re- forming the planning process. The KTP confirmed its agree- ment with reforming the pol- icies. "The gradual, yet in- exorable, decay of our built environment and quality of life over the past four decades has seen inevitably ever-increasing dissatisfaction and anger from the general public about the planning system and the con- struction industry in general." It confirmed it had been en- gaged in discussions with the PA through the National Building Council on reforms to the plan- ning appeal process. "The Kamra's position has been clear from the start: all permits should be suspended during the appeal phase which, however, should be shortened and made more efficient there- by striking a balance between the opposing interests in this debate. Indeed, the Kamra's po- sition has consistently been that the appeal timeframes should not exceed three months before the EPRT, and a further three months before the Court of Appeal, to which the standard statutory timelines for filing and responses were to be added," the chamber said. National Building Council rep- resentatives, the KTP said, were presented with draft text relat- ed to the EPRT Act to which it gave its feedback. "The council is satisfied that most of its rec- ommendations were included in the final bill. Nevertheless, a number of provisions found therein were not previously dis- cussed." A second Bill, however, was al- so concurrently published with the one governing the planning appeal process. This second Bill, Bill 143, proposes amendments to the Development Planning Act. "It must be stated that the Kamra was never presented with this text and was only able to re- view it over the past three days." Given the nature of the pro- posals in both bills and the im- pact they may have on people's lives, the council felt it was pru- dent to review them thoroughly and dispassionately. An analysis report about each of the bills has been drawn up outlining the council's detailed technical review, together with its comments and recommen- dations. "The reports seek to present a balanced, objective, and con- structive assessment of what is actually being proposed. The reports include proposals for amendment or outright dele- tion of some of the articles in the Bills. They also, however, address incorrect misinterpreta- tions of the content of the bills that are being reported in the media," it said. There are, however, aspects of Bill 143 which the council finds objectionable. This is particu- larly in relation to the change in planning document hierarchy and the provisions to modify plans. "While the Kamra recognis- es that Malta's planning doc- uments are poorly crafted and grossly outdated, piecemeal re- visions and the absence of broad public participation in decisions affecting the well-being of this country and its citizens is not the correct approach," it said. The KTP is calling for the in- itiation of a formal process for deep and meaningful planning reform, looking at rebuilding the entire planning system from first principles, informed by contem- porary and sustainable planning paradigms. "Finally, the Council welcomes the Prime Minister's statements that the government will be considering feedback about the bills and trusts that the amend- ments put forward by the Kamra tal-Periti will be considered and adopted," it said. Kamra tal-Periti says country's planning regime needs changing, but should not come without wider public participation Momentum files freedom of information request over government consultation on new planning bills MOMENTUM has filed a Free- dom of Information request to demand full transparency re- garding the drafting of the two controversial bills set to over- haul Malta's planning system. "The request seeks to uncov- er the extent of involvement by major developers and their lobbyists in the formulation of Bill 143 and Bill 144, legislation that would profoundly impact Malta's environment and com- munities for years to come," the party said on Tuesday. The FOI request specifically asks for details of all meetings held between government offi- cials and key figures in the de- velopment industry. Momen- tum is seeking minutes and records of consultations with representatives of the Malta Development Association, as well as prominent developers. "The public has a right to know who is writing our laws," Momentum chairperson Ar- nold Cassola stated. "For too long, the planning process has been skewed in fa- vour of a select group of pow- erful developers, at the great expense of our environment and quality of life. These bills are the blueprint for Malta's concrete future. Were they drafted in the public interest, or in backroom meetings to serve private profits?" In addition to meeting re- cords, Momentum is demand- ing to know the identity of all consultants and advisors who contributed to the bills. The requested information includes: The date, time, dura- tion, and minutes of all meet- ings with development indus- try stakeholders concerning the drafting of Bill 143 and Bill 144; the full identity of any consult- ants or advisors engaged for the preparatory work on these bills; the terms of reference under which these consultants were hired and the total re- muneration paid or payable to these external advisors. "Transparency is the bed- rock of a functioning democ- racy," Cassola continued. "If the government has nothing to hide, it should have no prob- lem providing this informa- tion promptly. The Maltese people deserve to know if the laws meant to regulate devel- opment were, in fact, shaped by the very people they are supposed to regulate. We will not stand by while the future of our country is decided behind closed doors." Momentum chairperson Arnold Cassola KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt