Prime Minister criticised for ignoring commitment to reform planning appeals law

Prime Minister Robert Abela is being criticised for failing to deliver on his commitment to reform the planning appeals law despite repeated promises that go back to May last year.

“This law currently allows developers to proceed with construction even when they lack definitive permits, leading to widespread concerns about illegal developments,” a coalition of NGOs said on Friday as they called out Abela's inaction on the matter.

The NGOs said that the PM and Planning Minister Clint Camilleri have so far refused to meet them over concerns that stem from an increase in illegal structures that continue to be built despite permits having been revoked by the courts.

A glaring example of this is the construction of swimming pools as part of a large development in Qala for which the permit had been revoked by the Court of Appeal. Nonetheless, since there is nothing at law to preclude developers from waiting until all legal avenues are exhausted, the pools had already been built.

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The NGO coalition is made up of Moviment Graffitti, Azzjoni: Tuna Artna Lura, BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Għawdix, Nature Trust Malta, Ramblers’ Association Malta, Wirt Għawdex and the Archaeological Society Malta.

The NGOs said the Planning Minister had promised a draft reform by September but no such draft has been published yet.

“Residents and organisations continue to shoulder the burden of challenging the Planning Authority’s abusive decisions in court,” the groups said. They added: “By prioritising private profits over governance, the government is shamelessly trashing our quality of life, undermining our democracy, and sacrificing our islands to the forces of greed.”