The imbalance between the environment and development will be difficult to turn around without radical political changes, Alternattiva Demokratika said, referring to the appointment of a director for environment protection at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa).

“Leaving this post vacant for over three years shows Mepa’s sluggish attitude towards ensuring adequate human resources for implementing the EU acquis,” said AD chairman Harry Vassallo.

AD spokesman for the Environment and Rural Affairs Mark Causon said: “Approximately 200 regulations, directives and decisions require action by Mepa. It should ensure that they are being implemented not just on paper but by setting up the necessary procedures and following them transparently.”

Dr Vassallo said: “The long overdue appointment of the new Environment Protection Department director Martin Seychell will, however, be of little consequence to the physical environment unless we see the necessary changes in an institution that appears to be so infected by construction addiction that it is unable to do the job for which it was created.”