The Church’s Environment Commission has criticised the procrastination when it comes to changes to planning laws and development policies.

In a paper published on the occasion of the World Day of Urban Planning, the commission criticises “those who tried to introduce the concept of a precedent in the planning system”. It says such a method does not make sense because planning proposals cannot be compared because of different exigencies and context.

The commission said that permissions given in a suspicious manner should not serve as a precedent for future development.

It added that it is not surprised with the devastation of Xlendi and Xaghra in Gozo, and that a year after the Rural Police and Design Guidance had to be amended, this has not yet happened.

On the development of 85 industrial units in Xewkija, the commission said that this is an abhorrence as a result of lack of scrutiny before construction work started.

This is an example of how the Development Notification Order being is being used by the government to avoid the required scrutiny in planning, including public consultation.

The commission also insists that the profession of planners – people who drawn up plans and development policies – should be officially recognised.

The full document may be found here