Speaking during the adjournment, Rural Affairs and Environment Minister George Pullicino explained that the development boundaries that had been accepted by parliament in 1988 had been a temporary measure and had been intended to stop the haemorrhage of land that was being lost to rampant development.

He said that the former minister Michael Falzon had always insisted that these boundaries were temporary and the government had always stated that these boundaries had to be eventually revised. The government was thus not performing a u-turn on this issue as it had even announced it in its 1998 electoral programme, Minister Pullicino added.

The minister said that the rationalisation exercise was intended to address certain anomalies and injustices but was definitely not intended to increase the urban sprawl. He said that the process was transparent and included all the necessary criteria to control any possible abuse.

Minister Pullicino said that the government was insisting that the criteria of the exercise showed that decisions were not favouring anyone. He deplored the opposition for taking political advantage of the situation and made reference to articles that appeared in certain newspapers.

The minister said that only around 10 per cent of applications to be made with regard to these development boundaries were going to be accepted by Mepa. This minimal adjustment proposed is taking place after 18 years of inactivity and will remain in effect for the next 10 years, he added.

Minister Pullicino said that the land within the development scheme would only increase by about 2.4 per cent and this also includes land earmarked for roads and other public places as well as buildings that have already been constructed and which will eventually be included within the scheme.

The minister said that 42 per cent of the land in the adjustment had already been earmarked for Mepa for development. He mentioned land in Mtarfa that has been built up for years but is still listed as currently outside the development area.