The Prime Minister's announcement, that the time period to file an appeal from a planning decision would be reduced, probably to somewhere around 20 days, is appalling.

Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the change is not intended to restrict objectors' rights, as most appeals are filed by developers, but realistically speaking this will not be the case.

When it comes to major planning applications which are controversial, when passed by the Planning Authority, NGOs tend to launch fundraising campaigns to raise enough funds to appeal. This move will restrict that.

Make no mistake, any action to reduce the period of time an appeal can be filed against a planning decision is not being taken in the interest of the people. It is being done solely in the interest of developers, showing that government is not willing to distance itself from developers. A person who filed a planning application but did not have the permit granted, would in most cases not need long to decide whether to appeal or not. But, an NGO that needs to fundraise to file an appeal would. A resident who objected might need time to consult with an architect and a lawyer as to whether to appeal, which takes time, whereas a person developing would already have an architect, and even possibly a lawyer, on hand, having spoken to them throughout the application process.

Presently, an appeal must be filed within 30 days, which is a good amount of time, neither too long, nor too short.

The government has been pledging a reform of planning appeals for a while. But the main priority of the reform must be focused on stopping developers from being able to execute their permit while it is under appeal. This situation has resulted in issues where an application would be approved by the PA, but then the courts change that decision, but construction or other works would have already taken place.

This much needed change must not be used as an excuse to make it harder for people to appeal by shortening the period of time someone has to consider filing an appeal. Seemingly latching on shortening the period of planning appeals is wrong. What the government should do is increase resources to ensure the efficiency of the Planning Appeals tribunal and the courts deciding on appeals to reduce the time taken for an appeal to be processed, not cut the time someone has to file it.

While on the topic of planning, the planning sector also urgently needs other changes to be made, such as giving more of a say to local councils when it comes to approving or rejecting major projects, more of a say to the Environment and Resources Authority and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage on major projects, and better policies regarding streetscape designs.

The government needs to take a long hard look at the planning sector, and make the changes needed in favour of the people, the protection of the environment, and the beautification of the country.