How many must die on construction sites before the Planning Authority learns the ropes and commences to take regulation of the development industry seriously? This question was posed by spokespersons for ADPD-The Green Party at a press conference in front of the Planning Authority offices in Floriana. The press conference dealt with the proposed changes to simplified procedures for development permits commonly referred to as DNO permits.

Last week marked the end of the public consultation relative to the proposed amendments to the Development Notification Order (DNO).Through the proposed amendments ,the Planning Authority is proposing that urban greening projects carried out by the public sector should be exempt from the development regulatory process. This exemption includes projects involving structures and built facilities.

ADPD-The Green Party Deputy Chairperson Architect Carmel Cacopardo stated that the Planning Authority's proposal ignores the recommendations of the public inquiry into the death of Jean-Paul Sofia at the Corradino Industrial Estate. It is pertinent to point out that the public inquiry which was led by the Ombudsman had concluded that the process of issuing of a simplified development permit for an industrial building by the Planning Authority through the DNO was one of the factors which led to the fatal accident resulting in the death of Jean-Paul Sofia.

This was the result of next to no monitoring of the development subsequent to the approval of DNO permit.  As a matter of fact, one of the recommendations of the public inquiry report was that development in the industrial estates should be subject to the full scrutiny process linked to normal development applications.  The Planning Authority proposal, added Cacopardo, signifies that it will be possible to develop structures and facilities of any size without public scrutiny, both within the development zone and outside of it (ODZ) as long as they can be associated with a greening project.

ADPD-The Green Party Chairperson Sandra Gauci emphasised that the proposed changes to the development permit procedures will necessarily signify that these greening projects will not be subject to public scrutiny. It will also be difficult for other authorities to regulate this type of development.  As per the currently applicable DNO procedures it will not be possible for the public or even environmental NGOs to register objections to the proposed development, for whatever reason.  It will not even be possible to appeal from the decisions taken as the right of appeal is not part of the DNO process.
The fact that these projects will be exempted from a substantial part of planning policies will render their scrutiny more difficult.

"All this signifies one clear point," Gauci emphasised, "the Planning Authority seeks to be above the law. It seeks to be in a position of  not being accountable for its decisions. This is an irresponsible
attitude and clearly flies in the face of Malta's various commitments resulting from both local legislation as well as international treaties. The rule of law is essential in environmental matters too,"
Gauci concluded.