The Planning Authority has decided to extend by an additional 3 years, all development permits which, today are still within their validity period but are due to expire by, or any date earlier to, the 31st December 2022.
The construction sector has been feeling the effects of the Coronavirus crisis – a lack of workers and the uncertainty of the situation have led developers to rush to start and finish their projects before the situation worsens. Residents who have been following health authority recommendations and staying at home have complained about increased activity at nearby construction sites. The extension is aimed at calming down the sector and allow development to proceed at a normal pace.
In a statement, the PA said the measure, “taken in the context of these extraordinary circumstances that the country is facing, is aimed at preventing current permit holders from having to carry out a significant amount of works within short period, once normality is restored.”
The measure, which applies only to permits which are already in hand, will also ensure that the rights of those granted permits are safeguarded while at the same time will decrease the burden of works on the community, the PA said.
The extension will also facilitate the completion of small household projects, as well as larger businesses, while reducing the administrative burdens related to the renewal of development permissions already in force.
Importantly, it will help to avoid major disruptions which could lead to imbalanced construction across the island once the situation is normalised.
In another statement, the PA announced that its public meetings will be held via video conferencing.
In a Facebook post, Environment and Planning Minister Aaron Farrugia said the PA is taking proactive measures to strike a balance between the environment and the wellbeing of our communities while supporting those who have a development permit, including families, enterprises and government entities.
This will ensure that development is carried out over a longer period of time. The measure, he said, only applies for existing permits.
The extension will help in the completion of projects and will avoid a situation where contractors end up “racing against time” to complete their project by the existing deadlines. It will also avoid a situation where there is an imbalance in the construction sector with our communities becoming filled with construction sites.
Also commenting on the introduction of video conferencing for PA hearings, Farrugia said public health takes priority over everything else.
The PA came under fire this week after it announced that previously suspended Planning Board and Planning Commission meetings would be held. The authority had previously announced that these public meetings were being suspended in view of the Covid-19 crisis. Following backlash by NGOs, the PA said it would take a decision after consulting with the health authorities.
The next meetings will be held through video conferencing, Farrugia said.
Applicants, architects, registered entities and members of the public will be able to make their submissions through electronic means.