Malta needs a solid, long-term development plan which will establish the country’s vision for the coming years based on more sustainable development, greener areas, and more open recreational spaces for the public.
In view of the various public consultations issued recently by the Planning Authority for ‘partial’ or ‘full reviews’ of so-called development briefs, the Malta Developers Association calls for a holistic approach on how localities should be planned and re-developed.
The MDA does not agree with the way this piecemeal approach is being adopted by the Planning Authority where planning is made to accommodate the needs of certain projects only, without considering the specific characteristics and amenities in the surroundings.
The MDA is also concerned that these ‘partial’ changes to development briefs are effectively serving as another way to circumvent local plans, often resulting in more stress on the surrounding neighbourhoods and infrastructure especially in cases where Gross Floor Area (GFA) is substantially added.
“We cannot keep treating development briefs like chewing-gum. Development briefs should be part of a holistic vision and not a tool which could be used only to accommodate individual projects. The public and potential investors are being short-changed through these so-called reviews, and this is unfair and unequitable. Goalposts should not be consistently moving,” Director General Marthese Portelli said.
“We need to start a fresh page with a real long-term vision. Politicians should start thinking out of the box and not through five-year electoral lenses,” Dr Portelli added.