The Gustizzja ghal Artna campaign has voiced its “grave concern” the declaration made by the Prime Minister in a recent interview, indicating that the Government intends to “press ahead with its so-called planning reform.”

The campaign said that Prime Minister Robert Abela signalled his intention to proceed with an amnesty for illegalities in ODZ areas, which were built contrary to existing policies and for which there are no limits on size or location, during an interview given on Sunday to Lovin’ Malta.

The Prime Minister stated that this amnesty would “even cover illegal residential development in OD,” the campaign said. He also confirmed that Bills 143 and 144 of the planning reform – a veritable “developers’ wishlist – remain on the table and are currently being amended by the Government.”

The campaign went on to said that while the Prime Minister has stated that “the Government will scale down the planning reform proposed in July,” the campaign stressed that since its last protest at the end of October, and notwithstanding repeated Government promises, “no information has been forthcoming regarding the direction the reform is taking. Indeed, many had assumed that the reform had been quietly shelved due to the resistance it encountered from NGOs, local communities, and the general public.”

It argued that “given the information currently available, and the highly misleading public relations campaign that has accompanied these proposed laws throughout, Gustizzja ghal Artna can only conclude that the reform remains an active threat to the planning sector and to the country’s environment as a whole.”

Gustizzja ghal Artna Campaign concluded by saying that “the campaign against these destructive laws will continue, with the support of the vast majority of the public. The public is therefore invited to be ready to once again participate in collective action to fend off this unprecedented threat to our environment and quality of life.”

The statement was signed by:

Ramblers’ Association of Malta

Moviment Graffitti

Friends of the Earth Malta

BirdLife Malta

Din l-Art Helwa

Nature Trust Malta

Wirt Ghawdex

Ghawdix

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar

Front Zghazagh ghall-Ambjent.

File photo

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