A new draft Planning and Design Framework for temporary outdoor sporting events and facilities such as obstacle courses, trail runs and endurance challenges, has been published by the Planning Authority for public consultation.

The Authority said that the proposed framework responds to the increasing public interest for outdoor sports and recreational activities, whilst ensuring that the rural environment, landscape and cultural heritage of Malta are sufficiently protected. It sets out clear guidance on where such activities may be considered and lays down detailed planning, environmental, design and safety requirements.

The proposed policy allows favourable consideration for low-impact and fully reversible outdoor activities for a one-time, five-year period only and excludes permanent development, parties, outdoor celebrations or unrelated commercial operations on the site.

Under the proposed framework, temporary sports facilities could be considered in locations such as designated recreation and sports centres, family parks, sites close to official parking areas within national parks, areas close to the Principal Urban Area, previously developed or committed sites in the ODZ, disused livestock farms and disused quarries.

Proposals affecting environmentally sensitive areas, cultural heritage sites or good quality agricultural land would require clearance from the relevant authorities. Locations that will not be favourably considered include sites where adequate road access cannot be provided without the need to widen the roads or formalise ODZ land and sites within designated safety buffers, around fireworks factories and other hazardous installations, that are excluded.

The Authority said that all obstacles and structures have to be fully demountable, with no permanent foundations, no excavation, no soil stripping, no compaction and no trenching for utilities. Lighting should be limited and visual impact minimised through the use of natural colours, limited signage and low profile structures. Site is to be fully restored to its original state after cessation of activity which period is to be clearly specified in a legal agreement.

Applications also have to be supported by a comprehensive risk assessment by a competent engineer covering health and safety, noise and light pollution and a management plan outlining how the facility will be operated. The Environment and Resources Authority, Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, Transport Malta and Civil Protection Department as external consultees must give clearance.

Only eligible sports organisations registered with the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport and affiliated to a registered national association or federation may submit applications.

Any temporary planning permission granted would be for a non-renewable period of five years. A legally binding planning obligation in the form of a legal agreement would require full restoration of the site at the end of the activity and would make clear that no development obligation arises from the temporary permit.

The framework follows an initial public consultation on the policy objectives in April 2026.

In all, 47 submissions were received, more than 70 per cent of which supported an obstacle-course race and facilities that encourage outdoor physical activity, family participation and community recreation.

Most submissions also supported the requirement that all structures in ODZ areas must be temporary and removable.

The Planning Authority invites public comments on the proposed guidance.

Please submit submissions using the official online form on by clicking here.

Clarifications can be sent by email to temporary.sports@pa.org.mt

The Authority said it will receive the submissions no later than 14th October 2026.

Permalink: PA publishes draft framework for temporary outdoor sports activities