The changes that have been announced with regard to the development zones as set in 1988 are transparent and the initial boundaries established had always been described as being temporary, the Rural Affairs and Environment Ministry said.

The ministry said that the process adopted by the government was equal and just and is based on clear and definite criteria. It said that these were decided by the Cabinet to have the least effect on the environment and to include the least land possible.

The ministry said that only around 10 per cent of applications by owners will effectively be approved and the map issued by MEPA for public consultation shows that the process is absolutely transparent.