Organisations have renewed a call for the Government to withdraw the two planning bills, and also urged the public to “prepare for the fight ahead.”

A united front of NGOs are once again calling on Prime Minister Robert Abela to immediately withdraw the two planning bills presented in Parliament at the end of July, and instead launch a genuine consultation process through the publication of a White Paper.

In a statement, the NGOs said that “as long promised by the Government, provisions for suspending works during planning appeals should go ahead immediately by means of an amendment to the existing law, but without any other changes that would downgrade the rights of appellants.”

They argued that “the presentation of these bills was an exercise in dishonesty and deceit. Disguised as a much-needed reform of the planning appeals process, the Government attempted to rush through legislation that would dismantle nearly all existing safeguards in the environment and planning sectors, while seriously undermining the public’s right to appeal.”

“It was only thanks to the widespread and rightful public outcry that this attempt was temporarily halted, forcing the Government to delay Parliamentary debate until after the summer recess. However, the threat remains very real as the bills have not been withdrawn,” the NGOs said.

While the undersigned NGOs said that they “remain open to genuine discussions on planning reform – something the country sorely needs – the current Bills, particularly the Bill amending the Development Planning Act, are beyond repair.”

They warned that these Bills reflect a “developers’ wishlist, not the common good. They would grant unchecked powers to the Planning Authority and pave the way for a wave of destructive development that would devastate our environment and quality of life.”

If these “dangerous Bills” are not withdrawn, the organisations said that they will “escalate their campaign to stop what is effectively a developers’ coup.”

The organisations urged the public “to prepare for the fight ahead.” Anyone who wishes to stay informed and join the fight can do so by filling out this form.

Organisations:

Azzjoni: Tuna Artna Lura

BirdLife Malta

Din l-Art Helwa

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar

Friends of the Earth Malta

Ghawdix

Moviment Graffitti

Nature Trust – FEE Malta

Ramblers Association

Wirt Ghawdex.

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