Momentum is insisting that the Prime Minister´s move on planning appeals is “intended to restrict the public’s right to appeal.”

The Party warned on Sunday that “the Government will enact legislation limiting the time within which to appeal from PA decisions to the Tribunal to 15 days. The same short period of 15 days will apply to recourse to the Court of Appeal.”

In a statement on Monday, the Party said that “Robert Abela has confirmed that he wants to slash the time within which planning appeals may be filed.”

Speaking to the press on Monday the PM confirmed that the period to file an appeal would be cut to 20 days from 30, claiming that it would be part of a “wider reform that would also include suspending planning permits until appeals are decided.” This subject of suspension on planning permits is something that has been spoken about and promised since 2023, but has never materialised.

Momentum Chairperson Arnold Cassola stated, “this reduction in time to lodge an appeal is an insidious move which will impact mostly the public’s and NGO’s right to appeal. There are hundreds of planning applications approved every week day. There are far fewer refusals. So it is the public and NGOs who will bear the brunt of this undemocratic decision.”

Prof. Cassola added, “the fact that building will be suspended during the appeal process is not an act of magnanimity by the Prime Minister but a common sense measure to prevent perverse situations where permits are revoked after illegal buildings have been built.”

He concluded by saying that “restricting and limiting the public’s right to appeal should not be a price which the public has to pay for suspending the execution of buildings. Once more, Robert Abela is sacrificing the public and common good for rampant construction.”

File photo

Permalink: PM’s move on planning appeals is “intended to restrict public’s right of appeal – Momentum