The Nationalist Party has welcomed the government's proposed reform of the planning appeals system but accused it of reviving a proposal first opened for public consultation in 2023 without implementing it.

In a statement, the PN said the reform addressed only part of the problem and argued that Malta still required a wider overhaul of the planning system.

The party said it had long called for appeals against planning permits to automatically halt works until the legality of the permit had been determined, preventing developments from being completed before appeals were decided.

It noted that the government had now launched a public consultation on the proposal, but said an identical exercise had already taken place in 2023 before the plans were shelved.

The PN also criticised the government for introducing two planning bills last summer without public consultation, saying they were later abandoned following opposition from the PN, NGOs and members of the public before Parliament was dissolved for the general election.

While welcoming the latest announcement, the Opposition said it would scrutinise the proposed legislation once it is published and consult stakeholders before taking a final position.

The party said it wanted guarantees that the reforms would provide effective remedies for both applicants and objectors, arguing that the current system allowed developments to be completed before appeals were concluded, only for permits to be revoked after construction had already taken place.

The PN also called for clarification on what the government meant by a "relevant appeal", asking whether every appeal would automatically suspend works or whether the measure would apply only in certain cases.

It also sought assurances on who would have the right to appeal, how pending cases would be handled and whether the Planning Review Tribunal and the courts would receive additional resources to meet the proposed deadlines.

The Opposition welcomed the government's decision to retain the courts' power to revoke planning permits and to withdraw a proposal to fine appellants whose appeals are deemed frivolous.

The statement was issued by PN shadow minister for planning Rebekah Borg, who said Malta needed a comprehensive, consultation-based reform of the planning system, arguing that planning decisions directly affect the quality of life of the Maltese and Gozitan people.