Since last May, developers are now able to block public scrutiny of development applications by intentionally excluding certain details from their submissions, Partit Demokratiku said in a statement. This has resulted in the general public and journalists finding that their access to the applications is blocked on the grounds that the submissions are "incomplete".
This underhanded manoeuvre is being used to block access to a number of mega projects as in the case of a new tower in Tigné and a new fish farm, the size of which will cover an area of 486 football grounds, which is to be located off Gozo.
"This dirty strategy flies in the face of all the Labour administration's promises for increased transparency, and is another betrayal of the electorate's trust. These underhanded actions often slip past the general public's notice and thus the government gets away with it. That is why we must continue to be vigilant as the Democratic Opposition in Parliament. In the last Parliamentary Committee meeting on Environment and Development Planning we wanted to put this issue on its agenda but we were refused by the Chair who works as a person of trust at OPM," states Hon Dr Godfrey Farrugia.
"Residents and indeed all citizens, including the media, are being denied access to information and the chance to scrutinise the latest tower proposed for already overcrowded and congested Sliema. The government is systematically dismantling and making it harder for people to stand up for their rights," states Timothy Alden.
Partit Demokratiku said it is calling for the immediate restoration of full transparency when it comes to PA applications and submissions, and a reversal of the trend towards favouring developers in every circumstance of the planning process.
Regulations and laws are man-made. The PA has stated that this new measure which was introduced without public notice is within the legal remits. Surely it is failing its own mission statement. This is another situation where what is legally possible is not ethically permissible.