The Nationalist Party will not revoke the changes brought about by the 2006 rationalisation exercise, which had seen ODZ land at the time placed within the development zone.

PN leader Bernard Grech was responding to questions from the press during a press conference on Tuesday.

Grech said that the PN will not reduce the rights of people who today want to continue developing their land, as long as what they are doing is in accordance with the law. "But I want to see a Planning Authority, not just an authority that hands out permission. We want development, but development which has a plan, which has a direction. We want everyone to move forward, but don't want people to step on other people's rights."

"Let us understand what happened in 2006. We had a government that decided to rationalise land that was not developed in certain zones. But we also had a situation where the planning authority at the time saw requests for permits on this land and were still approving them due to commitment around the same land. Instead of allowing this situation to continue, they included the land (within the development zone) that would still have seen permits issued due to that process. Agree or not, that happened in 2006. 15 years have passed. Since that time many people sold, bought and developed that lands. To go back on that and not allow their development would mean that we would be stepping on something that the people were given."

"There are solutions. Where needed for public scope, I don't exclude buying spaces for public enjoyment. But the damage we saw over the past 8 years was not primarily due to what happened 2006.  But occurred due to the PL government that allowed building levels to rise exaggeratedly, resulting in massive development. I want us to move forward, but not have unbridled development."

He said that the PN wants to see beautification in the country, that buildings are proportionate and complement each other. "We cannot have exaggerated development that doesn't make sense proportionally." He said that if elected, the PN will show how the country can be more beautiful than it is today.

He said that many people speak about the continuous development around their residences, resulting in dust, abuse and cranes which would not operate according to regulations. "This does not emerge from the 2006 plans, but from bad management by the PL government, from a lack of discipline."

"If someone wants to develop, do so, we are pleased to see people move forward, but we will not let people step on or breach other people's rights. You can move forward, but those who live around you have a right to live their lives as well."

Responding to a question posed by this newsroom, Grech said that he doesn't agree that the rationalisation exercise caused damage on its own. "It was an exercise that happened for rationalisation at the time, as that is what was needed at the time. Since then, more than 15 years passed. The PL, who has long been criticising what happened at that time, has changed nothing from that plan. It was the same PL in 2006 that, when there was the public consultation and also discussion in Parliament, wanted more land to be included in that plan."

"Now we must look to the future. We want a better country.  This government caused environmental destruction over the past 8 and a half years. Because of the development that was ongoing, which was many a time uncontrolled development, there are many people who are living in a bad situation." He said that the PN can make the change in this direction.

The press conference saw the PN launch a new working group called ‘PN Greens’, which will focus on the environment.

Grech said that the PN always had the environment, quality of life and health at its heart.

He chose PN general election candidate Janice Chetcuti to lead the working group.

Also addressing the press conference, Chetcuti invited people who are hopeful for change to join forces and bring about the change that is needed.

“What distinguishes the PN as a party, she said, is that it sits around the table with others to come up with ideas. Through this group the PN is committing itself to the environment being a pillar, around which the party will build its electoral manifesto” she said.

Chetcuti said that she will work with anyone who has the genuine interest in moving the country forward.

She said that she wants people with different opinions to form part of the group coming from different walks of life, including hunters and trappers.

PN Secretary General Michael Piccinino said that the PN is continually going through a process to open doors for new people, to be part of the change the country needs. He appealed to all those willing to contribute to join with the PN to work for change. "Change only comes about if you unite with us."

Opposition Leader Bernard Grech was also asked about spring hunting. He said that hunters and trappers "are also our brothers and sisters."

"I no longer want to see politics of opposites, where everyone thinks it is either black or white to the extreme. I believe in the politics of compromise. I believe that we have a duty to live together in a modern society."

"To hunters and trappers I say, put your minds at ease as I respect what you practice, but within the limits of the law. If you break the law I will take the needed action to see that the competent authorities are doing their job. We, you and the hunters and trappers who speak to us want the rule of law to be an absolute priority."