Luke Said, a Gozitan PN candidate is calling for urgent planning reform to put a hold on work on development projects under appeal.

In a statement, he highlighted that on the 2nd of March, Malta Today reported that the newly appointed Planning Authority CEO Johann Buttigieg had pledged to introduce a reform pausing work on development projects under appeal by NGOs and other groups.

Said noted that “in an exclusive interview, Mr Buttigieg committed to implementing this reform within three months, citing the need for stakeholder consultation as the reason for delay.”

However, !it is now June. Three months have passed. Yet, there is still no sign of the promised amendments,” stated Said.

He stressed that as Prime Minister Robert Abela himself pointed out in his Workers’ Day speech of May 2023, over two years ago – “Does it make sense, if it ever did, that planning law allows construction work to start when the permit is still being contested in front of the tribunal or the law courts?”

The PN candidate went on to say that this same call was reflected in the government’s own discussion paper proposing changes to the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal Act (Cap. 551 of the Laws of Malta) and the Development Planning Act (Cap. 552 of the Laws of Malta). “The consultation, aimed at suspending construction during pending appeals, ended in November 2023. It is now June 2025. Still, nothing has changed.”

“Let me be clear, under the current system, development is being allowed to proceed without restriction even while a permit is being contested,” stated Said. “This is a serious disregard for the right to an effective remedy. It creates a lose-lose situation”

He noted that:

* For appellants, who may win their case only to find that the development has already been completed, rendering their victory meaningless.

* For applicants, who face legal uncertainty, unsure if their permit will be upheld or when that decision will come.

Said argued that “this is absurd, and it must end.”

Luke Said stressed that “as a political candidate, and as a citizen, I am calling for immediate action.” Specifically:

* A legal amendment to halt all construction work on development permits that are under appeal.

*A clear commitment that illegal developments will not be retroactively sanctioned.

*Respect for tribunal and court rulings, without exception.

Said concluded by reminding Minister Clint Camilleri, Prime Minister Robert Abela, and the Planning Authority “of the promises they have made time and time again. We deserve a planning system that is just, transparent, and accountable. Enough is enough.”

File photo

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