The Labour Party had said that the Nationalist Party wants to "turn back the clock" even when it comes to the planning sector, and take the situation back to when it was in government.
The PL noted that in its first reaction to the draft laws published by the Government for discussion, the Nationalist Party had stated that it disagrees with the mentioned aspects, but will be presenting concrete proposals because it is in favour of a planning reform.
"It was only days after that the Nationalist Party declared that its official position now is that everything must be withdrawn," the PL said.
"This means that the Nationalist Party is against giving people the power to stop construction works from starting when they appeal from a development permit - a blow by the PN for greater protection of residents," the PL continued.
"This means that the Nationalist Party is against addressing past illegalities so that those who breached the law pay for their actions - a slap by the PN for the majority who always followed the law," the PL added.
The PL said that it is clear that the Nationalist Party "wants lengthy processes, people waiting and unnecessary bureaucracy."
"Just like the Planning Authority under GonziPN when it used to discourage citizens even if they needed simply to open up a window," the PL said.
The PL said that on the other hand, the Government is committed to continue discussing the proposed reform so that, instead of leaving everything under the carpet, it ensures more discipline, clarity and certainty in favour of whoever applies for a permit and whoever objects to a permit.
"This is a new chapter that will be opened in our country in the planning sector: Increased responsiveness and responsibility for more sustainable development," it said.
The PL was speaking about a planning reform tabled last week by the government which has been roundly panned by environmentalists as being a "developer's wishlist."
The government has faced criticism for tabling the bill without any consultation with stakeholders or environmentalists. The PN had said that the government intended to rush the Bills through Parliament, but the government is insisting that it was willing to consult with those concerned before moving forward.
In reply, the Nationalist Party said that Prime Minister Robert Abela "seems to believe that the people are clueless".
To justify his attempt to overhaul planning laws to suit his own interests, presenting them in the middle of summer, he assumed people would be distracted. But the public saw right through it. They understood exactly what he was trying to do, the PN said.
Abela must withdraw the proposed planning laws and launch a wide-ranging consultation process to ensure that any reform is truly in the public interest.
Instead of burying his head in the sand and continuing to push through laws that no one wants, he should heed the call of the PN, a call supported by civil society, former Labour officials, and the vast majority of the Maltese and Gozitan people.
Abela must immediately and permanently withdraw this bill, and sit down, this time with everyone, to draft laws that protect our citizens and our environment, the PN said.