Malta's planning laws do not offer enough protection for communities. For example, large scale developments which are heavily opposed by residents get approved, even when they would cause severe infrastructural challenges. This has already been seen.

NGOs and environmentalists have been highlighting problems with the current planning regime for years, many-a-time their complaints about policies fell on deaf ears. Just recently the government put forward planning reforms that, while having a couple of good points - such as proposing that planning applications under appeal would not be able to be carried out - also included clauses and ideas that would end up having detrimental effects, and NGOs were quick to point this out and call for their revocation. It resulted in a large protest, and many, many complaints from the public. The government had to backtrack following a public consultation, and is reviewing the feedback, although it has not heeded the calls by NGOs to scrap the reforms and start over. One still hopes that the outcome would be one that favours the people and the environment (including the urban environment).

Over recent weeks, however, one could note that Labour politicians are finally waking up to over-development, and it is good that they talk about it.

Finance Minister Clyde Caruana, for instance, expressed his support to the Zabbar local council in its fight against the building of a five-storey home for the elderly in the heart of the locality, and even attended a protest.

 On this application, PN MP Edward Zammit Lewis said the case demonstrates how the Planning Authority "continues to be insensitive to the people's sentiment," and PL Deputy Leader Alex Agius Saliba expressed "solidarity with the people of Żabbar" and full support for the local council. Labour MP Carmelo Abela also expressed reservation on the project.

Now a second application in a different locality, Zejtun, has seen both PL MPs Chris Fearne and Carmelo Abela speak up.

Both major political parties have made bad decisions when in power when it comes to Malta's planning regime. The result is hotchpotch construction, issues with not enough parks in dense urban areas, ugly streetscapes, badly planned infrastructure, and the list goes on.

MPs from all political parties have spoken up against certain developments or policies in the past, but this past week or two has seen an intensification from PL politicians, albeit on two particular projects. This is important to take note of as the Labour Party is the party in government, and seeing members of the government's party realising the issue is a step in the right direction, but speaking up is not enough.

They should be pushing to change the planning laws to reduce detrimental effects on UCAs and other areas. As members of the governing party, they have the power to sway others in government. If proposals came from the opposing party it would likely be turned into a political football. The first thing they must do is ensure that environmentalists and NGOs who have been on the front lines trying to safeguard Malta against overdevelopment are consulted and listened to before putting any major ideas forward, in order to avoid another disastrous situation caused by the planning reforms last summer.

Protecting our environment, UCAs and ensuring sustainable development while really listening to communities should be the way forward.