The Government's financial allocation to local councils should increase so that the latter can seek technical expert and legal advice on Planning Authority applications, the PN said on Friday.

"The hearts and beautiful character of the villages and towns are being ruined because policies that govern planning are too open to different interpretations," the PN said.

Case after case, the Nationalist Party said that it is noticing that the local councils and up being ignored in the planning process.

"Despite the many nice speeches by Robert Abela's government, it has not yet clarified or reviewed policies that should be applied in areas adjacent to the Urban Conservation Areas" it said.

The PN is concerned about the way the Government continues not giving them the resources they need, including financial resources, to consult with the experts and technicians during the permit evaluation process, in order for them to act in the best interests of the residents and the environment.

"As a result of this lack of action on the part of the Government, there are more applications to the Planning Authority that touch or are very close to a building in a conservation area."

It continued to say that not only are these planning permissions very out of tune with surrounding buildings' architecture and character, but the PA is also setting a bad precedent for issuing more permits that ruin the aesthetics of urban centers.

The opposition said that in a number of cases, even if the ocal council has objected to a development, due to its limited financial allocation, it did not have the financial means to follow through and if needed appeal.

The PN is appealing to the government to stop ignoring local councils and environmental NGOs in decisions related to planning and instead insist that these entities become more proactive "at all levels where decisions are made, including on the Planning Board having the right to vote."

Additionally it said that real consultation at all levels should be made mandatory.

The PN statement was signed by PN spokespersons Stanley Zammit and Darren Carabott.