Following the informal consultations that has already begun, the Nationalist Party said that it will launch a ”scrutiny process” involving all stakeholders on the proposed reform of the planning appeals process, in preparation for the parliamentary debate and any amendments the Opposition may present when the Bill is discussed in Parliament.

Rebekah Borg Shadow Minister for Planning, said that the Government’s public consultation closed a few days ago, while the Bill relating to the reform has already passed its First Reading in Parliament.

She said that for years, the PN has insisted on the need for a reform ensuring that the right of appeal in planning matters is effective. This means that when an appeal is filed, the development permit should be suspended automatically until the proceedings are finally determined. At present, although a permit may be appealed, works may already have begun or may even have been completed, rendering the appeal pointless because the works carried out are irreversible.

”We therefore welcome the fact that this principle is now on the legislative agenda. However, the proposals presented so far already contain several points requiring further scrutiny to ensure that the reform is neither partial nor weakened in practice by loopholes,” said the Shadow Minister.

The PN said that it respects the public consultation process and the important role played by civil society, organisations, professionals and all stakeholders who choose to participate in it.

However, the Opposition said that its responsibility is to ”listen to stakeholders, carefully examine what the Government is proposing, identify any loopholes and their potential consequences, and then fulfil its role in Parliament by presenting its position and, where necessary, proposing concrete amendments to the law.”

The Nationalist Party said it is therefore inviting all stakeholders – including environmental NGOs, local councils, professionals working in the sector, developers, industry representatives, residents and people with direct experience of the planning and appeals system – to share their analysis, concerns and proposals regarding the reform with the Opposition.

Comments or proposals may be submitted through this link.

The PN said that the contributions received will form part of the Opposition’s work ahead of the Second Reading and will help shape its parliamentary position and any amendments that may be proposed during the legislative process.

The Party noted that it will pay particular attention to whether the proposed suspension of development while an appeal is pending would genuinely be automatic and effective.

”The PN will also closely examine any exception or loophole that could weaken the right of appeal, the proposed timeframes, the resources required by the Tribunal and the Court, and any unintended consequences that could affect citizens,” it said.

The Nationalist Party is calling on the Government ”not to proceed with the Bill’s Second Reading until it has published the full outcome of the public consultation. Parliament should not be asked to debate a reform without first knowing the outcome of a consultation that the Government itself chose to undertake.”

The PN concluded by saying that it ”believes in the principle that citizens should have an effective remedy when appealing a planning permit. We must now ensure that the legislation ultimately approved by Parliament gives practical effect to this principle, without loopholes, unjustified exceptions or rights that exist only on paper.”

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