Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/689748
8 TIM DIACONO SHADOW environment minister Marthese Portelli called on the government to publish its revised local plans, warning that its delay in doing so is creating "uncertain- ty" among developers and environ- mental NGOs alike. Shortly after the general election, the Labour government had an- nounced a revision process of the local plans – the guidelines that determine building rules in Mal- tese towns that were last updated in 2006. The Malta Environment and Planning Authority had originally pledged to finalise the process by June 2015, but confirmed last Feb- ruary that it has "no fixed date set for completion" of the new local plans. "The problem doesn't lie with developers proposing high-rise buildings, but with government not drafting its policies," Portelli said on Monday night's edition of 'Reporter', that debated environ- mental issues. "Local plans give developers clear legal directions on what they can and cannot build, but at this point in time there are two classes of de- velopers – those who are propos- ing projects based on the current local plans, and those proposing projects on the basis of potential future plans." She warned that the latter group of developers could "condition" the government to revise the local plans according to their proposals. She also claimed that high-rise contradicts the new strategic plan for the environment and develop- ment (SPED), which states that "while tall buildings may increase efficacy of land use and create open spaces, their impact on the Maltese landscape is becoming a matter of concern. "The SPED itself raises doubts about high-rise but then the gov- ernment's floor to area ratio policy permits it," she said. However, Portelli disagreed with Democratic Party MP Marlene Farrugia's call for a moratorium on large-scale projects made in light of seven proposed skyscrapers in and around Paceville, arguing that con- struction cannot be halted without even a set date for the new local plans. On his part, environment min- ister Jose Herrera said that the revised local plans should not be rushed and that they will be an im- provement from those approved by former resources minister George Pullicino in 2006, and will not in- clude an extension of the develop- ment zones. He agreed with a strategic plan in light of the high-rise propos- als and admitted that the govern- ment is often viewed negatively on environmental issues. However, he added that the same was true for previous PN administrations and pledged to prioritise the environ- ment, starting with decisions on al- ternatives for engineered landfills. "People are concerned about the take-up of land, but let's not be alarmist," he told programme host Saviour Balzan. "While Malta is relatively densely built-up, 70% of the land is still unbuilt and 13.5% of that has been designated as Natura 2000 sites. Also the government has pledged not to develop more land outside development zones." He also noted that air pollutants have gone down by a third since the Marsa power station was switched off, and claimed that more people are now choosing to use public transport. 'Environment sacrificed at the altar of money' Alternattiva Demokratika spokesperson Mario Mallia had harsh words for the large political parties, accusing them of "sacrific- ing environmental sensitivity at the altar of money". "Political parties have been in the pockets of strong [development] lobbies who have in turn financed them, but at least a law has now been passed to regulate the financ- ing of parties" he said. He called for a strategic plan on high-rise, warning that as it stands "any Tom, Dick and Harry" can propose to build skyscrapers. "The problem is that everyone keeps coming up with proposals, but there's no clear strategic plan on what is and isn't acceptable," he said. Mallia insisted that the construc- tion industry can continue grow- ing without taking up more virgin land, calling for it to shift its focus towards regenerating urban areas. He lashed out at the recent MEPA demerger into separate planning and environment authorities, not- ing that all the members of the Planning Authority's executive committee have been appointed by the government. "There isn't enough overlap be- tween the PA and the Environment and Resources Authority [ERA]; placing an ERA member on the Planning Board is merely tokenism. MEPA's environment unit used to have a seat on the old MEPA board, but the problem was that its voice was continuously ignored." However, Herrera retorted that splitting up MEPA was a pro-envi- ronmental move and expressed his bemusement at the green party's opposition to it. "The ERA is an entire authority and has the power to appeal per- mits granted by the PA," he said, urging Mallia to change his opin- ion over the demerger as "there is nothing wrong with changing one's opinion in politics". "The government is often criti- cised as being too close to develop- ers, but the creation of such a pow- erful authority is a clear sign of our pro-environmental policies." HEALTH Minister Chris Fearne this week visited the hospitals run by Partners HealthCare, who will be joining Vitals Global Health- care (VGH) in their operations in Malta. VGH won a service concession for the management and opera- tion of Karin Grech Rehabilita- tion Hospital, the Gozo General Hospital and St Luke's Hospital. In collaboration with VGH, PHI will focus on the development of clinical quality and patient safety standards, benchmarks and sys- tems, and the development of structures and systems for post graduate medical education. PHI, according to its website, is the global arm of Partners Health- Care, one of the leading integrated academic health care systems in the United States. PHI's founding members, Mas- sachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Brigham and Wom- en's Hospital (BWH) are the two largest Harvard Medical School affiliated hospitals, and are con- sistently ranked in the top 10 on the US News and World Report's list of Best Hospitals. During his visit, Fearne visited the Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, as well as Harvard teaching hospitals Mas- sachusetts General, Spalding and Brigham, and women's hospitals. These teaching hospitals are run by Partners Health Care. According to the health min- istry, Fearne discussed how best to use PHC's resources and ex- pertise to help in increasing the standards of health services in Malta and Gozo. PHI has wide experience in working with local entities across the globe, from Japan to Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. Research collaboration between Harvard and Malta's academic institutions was also discussed. maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 8 JUNE 2016 News IN ALL LEADING BOOK SHOPS HISTORY OF ORNITHOLOGY IN MALTA Health minister in US visit to discuss privatisation of Gozo hospital Chris Fearne (left) visited the Massachusetts General Hospital during his trip in the US MP urges government to 'end uncertainty' and publish revised local plans Environment minister Jose Herrera and AD spokesperson Mario Mallia clash over perceived strength of the new Environment and Resources Authority Environment minister Jose Herrera (second left), opposition MP Marthese Portelli and Green Party spokesperson Mario Mallia on Monday's 'Reporter'