The Nationalist Party has launched a consultation process on the government's proposed reform of the planning appeals system, inviting stakeholders to submit their views and proposed amendments ahead of parliamentary debate on the legislation.
The Opposition said in a statement that the initiative builds on informal consultations already underway and is intended to help shape its position before the Bill reaches its Second Reading in Parliament.
The government's public consultation on the reform closed a few days ago, while the legislation has already passed its First Reading.
The PN said it has long argued that planning appeals should provide an effective legal remedy by automatically suspending development permits while appeals are being decided. It argued that under the current system, construction can begin, or even be completed, before an appeal is concluded, potentially rendering the process ineffective because the works may be irreversible.
While welcoming the fact that this principle is now being addressed through legislation, the Opposition said the proposed reform requires closer scrutiny to ensure it is not weakened by loopholes or partial measures.
The party said it is inviting environmental NGOs, local councils, planning professionals, developers, industry representatives, residents and others with experience of the planning system to submit their analysis, concerns and proposals through its online consultation portal.
According to the PN, the feedback received will inform its parliamentary position and any amendments it may table during the legislative process.
Among the issues the Opposition said it will examine are whether the suspension of development pending an appeal would be genuinely automatic and effective, any exceptions that could weaken appeal rights, the proposed timeframes for proceedings, the resources available to the Planning Tribunal and the courts, and any unintended consequences for citizens.
The PN also called on the government to delay the Bill's Second Reading until it publishes the outcome of its public consultation, arguing that Parliament should not debate the reform without first considering the feedback gathered during the consultation process.
Shadow Minister for Planning Rebekah Borg said the party believes citizens should have an effective remedy when appealing planning permits and that the final legislation should give practical effect to that principle without loopholes or unjustified exceptions.
In reply, the Labour Party said the Nationalist Party is now seeking to stall the parliamentary process.
The planning reform will ensure a fairer balance between the interests of those appealing a development application and those of the applicant. It is a reform aimed at creating a fairer planning system, ensuring that an appeal against a development permit automatically suspends any works related to that permit until the appeal is decided, the PL said.
During the further public consultation, which welcomed strong proposals put forward by the Government on this reform, the Nationalist Party chose not to make an official submission.
It is now calling for a separate consultation process to be initiated. While a Labour Government believes firmly in consultation and dialogue, it also believes that these must take place openly and transparently. This is precisely what the Government has done.
It is not the right approach to wait until a public consultation has concluded and then seek to launch a separate process behind closed doors. This is not how policymaking should be conducted, nor is it how we improve our laws and strengthen our planning system, the PL said.