Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/667669
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 17 APRIL 2016 15 happened to this process? Buttigieg reveals that the first technical assessment of the new local plans is already in hand. He also points out that the process has been delayed by the fact that the planning sector has seen a change of three junior ministries following a reshuffle which had seen Michael Falzon replacing Michael Farrugia and subsequently Deborah Schem- bri taking Falzon's place following the latter's resignation. "I need time to brief the politi- cians on these changes. We had to delay the process to ensure that the work is done properly…" Buttigieg is non-committal on a time frame. "Hopefully work on the local plans will now continue when the dust settles down." One of the most contentious issues is whether development boundaries will be adjusted again. Government sources have recently confirmed that the ongoing 'tweak- ing' of development zones is to be compensated for by redrawing the boundaries of ODZ (outside de- velopment zones) elsewhere, in- cluding new zones while removing others. "What we are saying is that wher- ever you have an already protected area within the development zone, we will remove it from the zone as it cannot be developed, while other areas which do not merit that kind of protection which were not in- cluded in the development zones because of an oversight in the 2006 local plans will be included… But the underlying understanding is that the development zone will re- main the same size as today." Has the PA identified the areas which will be added to the develop- ment zone? "We have identified the areas which can be excluded from the development zones but we have not yet identified which areas will be added to the development zone." Will the process be concluded by 2018? "I think we will have a draft." He also points out that according to the new law the whole process will be submitted to public consul- tation and be open to the public, in- cluding the final draft, in a way that no changes will be made after the final round of consultation as hap- pened in 2006. Another policy vacuum in the past was that on ODZ petrol sta- tions. In fact a number of these were approved in the absence of policy guidelines. But does it make sense now to allow 3,000 square metre petrol stations in ODZ areas? "3,000 square metres is the maxi- mum limit allowed. It does not mean that all applications will be of this size or that they will all be approved and so far all the applica- tions presented have been refused. But we have to give people the tools with which they can work. There can be particular cases where a 3,000 square metre petrol station can be justified and others not." I point out that while originally in the draft consultation document only re-located petrol stations could be built up in ODZ, (new petrol stations were restricted to areas of containment and industrial zones) this was changed to allow brand new petrol stations in ODZ land adjacent or opposite these in- dustrial areas. "This change was made following discussion in the parliamentary se- lect committee. PA's advice was dif- ferent but the select committee had a different opinion." Don't you think that policies al- lowing the rebuilding of ODZ buildings in the countryside, which are practically ruins or rubble, can pave the way for the urbanisation of the countryside? As an example I mention a 165 square metre villa with pool in Wied Busbies approved in a buffer zone to an Area of Ecological Im- portance instead of three derelict rooms. "I agree with this policy. It makes sense to allow people to rehabilitate old buildings and ruins. It is only fair to allow people to repair old buildings. What I can't understand is that some people were allowed to restore old properties while others were allowed to develop 600 square metres of land." I point out that the Planning Di- rectorate is often at loggerheads with the Environment Planning Commission on similar permits. "The Planning Directorate is of- ten cautious. But if the applicant brings sufficient evidence to prove that the development respects ap- proved policies, the board can take a favourable decision." He also points out that if it is proved that the information pro- vided to the board is false, the PA would have no qualms in revoking a permit. When asked about his role in the choice of site of Zonqor for the pro- posed educational institute, Johann Buttigieg does not shrug off respon- sibility. "I take full responsibility for the site selection exercise." He also insists that the Zonqor site was recommended by his office. "I can assure you that our site selection was even more thorough than that approved in EIAs con- ducted by the private sector. "Our site selection was limited to sites which are under government ownership and did not require any expropriation." He also insists that the forthcom- ing Environment Impact Assess- ment will also consider alternative sites to Zonqor as required in pro- cedure for impact assessments. Interview The Planning Authority's chief executive officer, Johann Buttigieg talks about the PA's plans for a new summary procedure for permits in development zones and announces plans for an amnesty of illegalities located within development zones PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD