A new Development Order to regulate development in specific areas is being proposed by the Planning Authority (PA).
The PA said that the introduction of this process “will be stricter” than the current Development Notification Order (DNO), requiring all proposed developments in these zones to be notified to the PA.
Once a notification is validated, the PA said it will review it within 30 days and make a recommendation. The Chairperson of the Planning Board (or a delegate) will then approve or reject the request within seven days.
If rejected, the PA will provide reasons, and applicants will be notified electronically. Approved authorisations will be valid for three years, with the option to extend for another three years.
The Authority explained that developments in areas managed by INDIS Malta Ltd or Malta Enterprise will now fall under the new Order’s first-class category. As a result, Class 16 and Schedule III of the current DNO will be removed.
All units next to third-party properties must go through a full development application process, including 30 days for the public to submit their representations.
The PA stated that this ensures thorough assessment and compliance with all relevant regulations. “Maps for the new Order remain mostly unchanged, except for the Kirkop INDIS Zone.”
All applications within the INDIS area will require prior authorisation from INDIS before proceeding. Interested parties are invited to submit their feedback by the 20th of March.
Comments and suggestions should be sent via email to sdl.consultation@pa.org.mt [1].
The proposed legal notice, maps and amendments to the Development Notification Order can be accessed on the Planning Authority’s website at www.pa.org.mt/consultation [2].
File photo: PA