The Ġustizzja għal Artna campaign has welcomed the government's proposed reform of the planning appeals system, describing it as a long-awaited step towards planning justice while urging authorities to implement the changes without watering them down, a joint statement said.

In a statement Monday, the campaign said that under the current system, works may begin on the basis of permits issued by the Planning Authority even while they are being challenged before the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal (EPRT) and the courts.

It said this had resulted in situations where, by the time a permit was struck down or amended by the courts, projects had already been completed or were close to completion. It cited the Halland development in Swieqi and Portelli's ODZ pools in Qala as examples.

The NGOs said that this denies appellants their rights and allows developers to profit from buildings based on permits issued in breach of planning laws and policies.

The organisations said that, unlike last year's proposed planning reform bills, which they described as "convoluted and malicious", the draft legal provisions published for consultation are clear and would suspend works for the duration of an appeal while fostering a more efficient appeals process for all parties involved.

The campaign said it had long been calling for such a reform after witnessing individuals and communities being denied justice despite carrying the burden of challenging unlawful Planning Authority decisions.

It expressed hope that the reform would be enacted as soon as possible and urged the government not to introduce last-minute changes aimed at appeasing "powerful interests working behind the scenes".

However, the campaign stressed that guaranteeing the suspension of works during the appeals process is "the very bare minimum" needed to begin introducing greater fairness into Malta's planning regime.

It said further reforms remain necessary, including improving the enforcement and sanctioning of planning illegalities, revising planning policies that it said were designed to satisfy developers' interests, and creating independent authorities and boards that are not subservient to developers.

While welcoming the proposed planning appeals reform, the organisations said they also look forward to engaging with the government on broader planning reforms that Malta urgently needs, the statement said.

The joint statement was signed by BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Front Żgħażagħ għall-Ambjent, Għawdix, Moviment Graffitti, Nature Trust Malta, the Ramblers' Association of Malta and Wirt Għawdex.