A coalition of environmental non-governmental organizations on Friday raised serious concerns regarding the recent re-appointment of Perit Elizabeth Ellul as Chairperson of a Planning Commission that will be responsible for overseeing and determining development applications across Malta and Gozo's urban conservation areas and Gozo's development zones.

In 2020, Perit Ellul was removed from a similar role following her involvement in the approval of a development application to transform a dilapidated countryside room in Qala into a villa, the NGOs said. The applicant for this development also happened to be a client of her husband's architectural firm. At the time of the decision, Perit Ellul failed to declare any conflict of interest, raising ethical questions about her ability to make impartial decisions in the best interests of Malta's urban and environmental landscapes.

Malta requires a Planning Authority with Commissions that respect its very own mission statement to prioritise public interest over private interests and that act transparently and are fully accountable for their decisions. Malta does not require a rubber-stamping Planning Authority concerned only with the efficient facilitation of development permits for developers. It is, furthermore, imperative that our urban conservation areas, which are of immense cultural significance, are safeguarded from potentially biased decisions, the NGOs said.

The re-appointment of Johann Buttigieg as CEO of the Planning Authority and now of Perit Ellul only reinforces the perception that the government is being unduly influenced by developers, the NGOs said.

The coalition consists of Din l-Art Ħelwa, Friends of the Earth, Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, Wirt Għawdex, Għawdix, Azzjoni: Tuna Artna Lura and Moviment Graffitti.