Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/688389
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 5 JUNE 2016 8 News Development application no longer required for swimming pools MIRIAM DALLI WATER cisterns and reservoirs, installation of LPG storage tanks, extensions to single-dwelling building, basements, backyard de- velopments and swimming pools are among the developments that have been removed from the new Development Notification Order (DNO) and will thus require a de- velopment planning application. The Planning Authority has launched, through the publication of a legal notice, the new DNO with a significantly downsized range and types of developments that will be exempt. "The new Develop- ment Notification Order, which is categorised into 19 classes of per- mitted development, has retained those development types that are considered not to have an impact both on the site context and neigh- bouring residences," the PA said. The new DNO legal notice has retained internal alterations, in- stallation of photovoltaic panels, widening of existing roads and more. Class 14 of the old DNO, for the reservation of public land for the placing of tables and chairs, was entirely removed. "The approach adopted for this revision was to 'do away with the practice' that for certain works the public is not part of the planning process and had no right to an ap- peal," the authority said. Over the past years, the DNO legal notice has been revised on several occasions with the purpose of increasing the classes and types of works that were considered as permitted development. Permitted development meant that certain works could be carried out through a simple notification process or in many cases whereby no notifica- tion was required at all. "While this process may have worked well for the applicant, it left the public and many residents without the right to even know, let alone object or appeal against such development works," the planning watchdog argued. Last month, the Authority intro- duced a new type of planning ap- plication which now sits along the familiar full development applica- tion and the DNO. This new plan- ning application, which is known as the 'Summary Procedures' in- corporates a number of develop- ment types which have been re- moved from the old DNO. This new procedure now ensures that a notice is affixed to a property where the intervention is proposed to be carried out and gives the pub- lic 15 days to submit a valid objec- tion. A registered objector also has the right to make an appeal against a decision. The Planning Authority will start to receive DNO requests in accordance with the new legal notice as of Monday. The pub- lic and interested parties may view the new DNO legal notice from the Authority's website www.pa.org.mt. Planning Authority clears illegal billboards from Malta's north end THE Planning Authority, during a nighttime direct action opera- tion, removed a number of illegal billboards around the north end of Malta. The operation started from Mriehel and moved along the ar- terial roads, leading through the Rabat and Mgarr area, along Mel- lieha and up to Cirkewwa. During the operation, the Au- thority with the assistance of officers from the Enforcement Unit of Transport Malta and the Administrative Law Enforcement section of the Police, directly removed 11 illegal billboards. A number of other illegal struc- tures – which the Authority had also targeted to remove along the route – were taken down by the offenders themselves. The removal of these billboards is being carried out at the ex- pense of the respective offenders. The operations are being carried out during nighttime so as to cause the least disruption and in- convenience to motorists. "The Authority will continue to remove the remaining illegal bill- boards in the coming days. The owners of the illegal billboards are urged to comply with the re- quirements of the enforcement notices served on them so as to avoid the payment of the ex- penses incurred by the Authority in carrying out these direct ac- tions," the PA said.