The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) has initiated the process for all local plans, which currently total seven, to be reviewed. The process is commencing with a three month long public participation exercise, through which, the Authority is inviting local councils, the public and all interested stakeholders to take the initiative and get involved in the entire process of re-drafting local planning policies which directly affect and impacts their lives.

The scope of this review exercise is to identify any shortcomings that exist in the current local plans, but more importantly to propose innovative ideas and recommend new land-use purposes which can positively be considered during the compilation of the new proposed local plans.

Following the draft compilation of the new local plans, which will be published next year, the Authority will issue the draft policies for further public consultation.

The Gozo and Comino plan is avaliable to view here. There will be a public meeting for residents that fall under the localities of the Gozo and Comino plan on Thursday, the 25th of July at 6.00pm. The venue is to be advised. The localities are – Ghajnsielem, Gharb, Ghasri, Kercem, Munxar, Xlendi, Nadur, Qala, Victoria, San Lawrenz, Sannat, Xaghra, Xewkija, Zebbug (Gozo), Marsalforn and Fontana.

Local Plans are intended to regulate development both on a regional level and also on the level of localities. Local plans are an enabling plans which safeguard land for a range of identified activities giving due regard to their context, inter-compatibility and to promote certain types of investment in identified areas.

They also earmark areas for residential accommodation, urban regeneration, social and community amenities, promotion of tourist activity, recreational facilities, employment opportunities, utilities management and safeguarding of cultural and natural heritage.

The Authority said that it intends creating planning policies that are tailored to achieve a sustainable balance between the wide range of citizen’s aspirations. This goal can only be reached if active citizens’ participation is secured from the outset.

“Active participation is strongly encouraged,” MEPA said, so that the Authority and decision takers “do not just get the views of the vociferous few, but would be in a position to gauge the aspirations of the many.”

MEPA Chairman Perit Vincent Cassar said “we are at a stage were we need to look ahead and make a conscious leap to instigate and achieve quality in our built environment. The revision of the local plans and other planning policies in the coming months is a catalyst for us to ensure that a better harmonised, more vision-driven approach to policy making and its implementation is adopted.

“During the entire revision process of the local plans we want to engage with the public and most importantly with Local Councils because we believe that they have a vital role to play. We want to give them the space and flexibility to focus on the issues that really matter to their locality, while at the same time ensuring a focus on national strategic objectives.”

Throughout the course of this public participation period the Authority will be organising a series of engagement meetings to facilitate and involve citizens in the entire process of this local plan revision exercise.

The public is being invited to submit comments and suggestions by sending an email on LP2013@mepa.org.mt or subit it online here or send it in by post at LP2013, Local Plans, St. Francis Ravelin, Floriana by not later than the 30th of September 2013.

For further information the public can also telephone 2290 1027 during office hours.

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