The two Partit Demokratiku Members of Parliament earlier this week petitioned the Chairperson of the Environment and Planning Committee to effectively protect the remaining green enclaves in the Maltese and Gozitan towns and villages.

In a statement, Partit Demokratiku drew attention to the existing discrepancies in the Local Planning Policies of the Planning Authority and other regulations that do not offer protection to these gardens and green spaces in residential areas, which usually form part of large houses rich with architectural features.

The general public is concerned because many of these remaining spaces, some even in village cores, have pending applications – or have already been granted building permits – when this will have negative social, environmental, or historical impact on the local community.