A strategy for policy and design guidance regarding billboards and signs has been issued by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for public consultation.

The billboard and sign policy-guidance deals with all forms of billboards, signs and outdoor advertising, except fascia signs on shops and commercial premises and official traffic signage. The policy-guidance currently for public consultation defines billboards as large-scale advertising, usually freestanding and which may or may not be illuminated.

The content of these billboards is presumed to change regularly. Signs on the other hand, are defined as smaller than billboards in size and intended as directional indicators to specific locations or services.

In view of both the increasing density in traffic and demand for billboard sites for advertising, it was decided that temporary billboards no longer be permitted. The way forward was discussed and a comprehensive policy and design guidance for billboards and signs has been drafted for public consultation.

This policy identifies sites where free-standing billboards may be located.

The design of these structures is also considered extremely important and the policy is also providing guidance in this regard.

The policy may be downloaded from www.mepa.org.mt and comments and suggestions may be made to The Director of Planning, (Attn Mr Norbert Gerada), Mepa, St Francis Ravellin, Floriana or through email on [email protected]. Closing date for submissions is 15 January 2006.