Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/640308
JAMES DEBONO THERE are close to 7,000 requests to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for changes to be made to local plans, the guide- lines that determine building rules in Maltese towns. But MEPA has confirmed that it has "no fixed date set for comple- tion" of the new local plans, in a clear sign that the government is wary of opening a Pandora's box before the next general election – despite earlier commitments to finalise this complex process in June 2015. Fortunes will be made for devel- opers and landowners who sub- mitted 6,814 changes to the local plans last approved in 2006, when the new Labour government an- nounced a revision process after the 2013 election. MEPA is not excluding "minor adjustments" to development boundaries and building heights, the kind of tinkering that will make goldmines of land parcels and low-lying houses that may have little value today. And much like the 2006 exten- sion to development zones that turned 'useless land' into liquid prospects, so will new local plans create resentment among those who will be left out and environ- mental NGOs ready to battle over an intensification of development. wary of opening a Pandora's box Newspaper post SUNDAY • 14 FEBRUARY 2016 • ISSUE 849 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY 'So Joe Mizzi, when did you last catch a bus?' €1.40 Newspaper post Angry commuters take his name in vain... a lot €1.40 14 15 SUNDAY • 14 FEBRUARY 2016 • ISSUE 849 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY SUNDAY • 14 FEBRUARY 2016 • ISSUE 849 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY maltatoday 13 maltatoday YOUR FIRST READ AND FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT Cold feet on a delicate tweaking of local plans that could anger NGOs Kids lifting l-iStrina's begging bowl is 'pathetic' Labour split on embryo freezing TIM DIACONO NEWLYAPPOINTED Chil- dren's Commissioner Pauline Miceli has struck a radical chord by flagging the inappro- priate use of children in the an- nual Christmas charity telethon l-iStrina, as "pathetic" and nothing short of manipulation. "Children with illnesses have a right to every sort of treatment, but they shouldn't be rendered into mere objects of pity. It undignifies them." into mere objects of PAGE 4 Making her mark: Children's Commissioner Pauline Miceli PHOTO RAY ATTARD MIRIAM DALLI THE Labour parliamentary group is split over a push by Prime Minister Joseph Mus- cat to introduce legislation for embryo freezing. Informed sources who spoke to MaltaTo- day gave a clear picture of the opposition that Muscat is facing from several of his backbenchers, and also from within his Cabinet – one of the first signs where he is being denied the typical unanimity his nine-seat majority has so far guaranteed. It is unclear whether Joseph Muscat even intends seeing the bill through before the end of the legislature: a spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister would only say that Muscat "has nothing to add to what he has already stated" when asked whether there was a commitment on presenting the law before the next election. Muscat last year declared that he would forge ahead with plans to re-introduce em- bryo freezing, which was outlawed by the PN administration in 2013. "I am resolute to introduce embryo freezing," Muscat had told MaltaToday in what many MPs inter- preted as a f lexing of his political muscle. Embryo freezing was banned in 2013 when the Embryo Protection Act was in- troduced, with support from both sides of the House. That law introduced oocyte vitrification – the freezing of eggs – while banning any form of sperm or egg donation, and surrogacy. Sources close to the Labour parliamen- tary group said that initially, almost every Labour MP was against the embryo freez- ing proposal, although several would "even- tually toe the party line". But at least 10 MPs are known to have expressed their reservations during par- liamentary group meetings. Nonetheless, few have so far publicly admitted their opposi- tion. Prime Minister remains resolute over embryo freezing despite splits in party • Two cabinet members, Whip will not back law At least 10 MPs have expressed reservations on embryo freezing - including ministers George Vella, Deborah Schembri and whip Godfrey Farrugia (L-R). few have so far publicly PAGE 4 PAGE 6 We put the question to a few thinkers on health, quality of life, and spirituality Love is in the app... Swiping for love on Valentine's Day YOUR FIRST READ AND FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY YOUR FIRST READ AND FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY 12 13 We put the question We put the question Love is in the app... Love is in the app... Love is in the app... Love is in the app... Are we really one of the happiest places on earth?