Standard procedures for Social Impact Assessments (SIA) to become a requirement as part of the planning system, is being proposed by the Planning Authority.

The Planning Authority said that with the practice of SIA in Malta still in its infancy, through this document it is seeking to introduce a standard procedure for their use and the terms of reference to guide the preparation of future SIAs.

The Authority explained that to date, SIAs are only obligatory if a proposed project is making use of the tall buildings policy.

A social impact assessment (SIA) seeks to identify and manage both the positive and negative social impacts of planned projects or proposed policy-making. SIAs are used to mitigate negative impacts and identify opportunities to enhance benefits for local communities and broader society.

The Authority is proposing that when plans or policies are being drafted, the Executive Council assesses the need for an SIA on a case-by-case basis.

“However when the Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) screening process identifies the need for an SEA on a plan or policy, this will automatically trigger the need for an SIA to be carried out,” the PA said.

It added that, in proposed development applications, an SIA will become a requirement whenever the relevant plan or policy indicates it to be a requirement. All SIA reports shall be published.

The proposed procedures are available for download by clicking here.

The Authority invites the public to send in their comments and feedback either through postal address: Planning Authority, SIA Procedures Consultation, Strategic and Policy Making Division, St. Francis Ravelin, Floriana, FRN 1230 or through email address: sia@pa.org.mt

Submissions must be received by the 28th of June 2019.

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