Architects' chamber welcomes critical MEPA report

The Chamber of Architects (Kamra tal-Periti) has welcomed the conclusions of a report, which found the Malta Environment and Planning Authority guilty of adopting a 'two weights and two measures' attitude with regard to enforcement.

The report, drawn up in the wake of the Xemxija landslide incident, showed that the planning authority was "impotent" when it comes to controlling big developers.

The KTP said that architects have often complained that the authority sometimes turned a blind eye to major infringements while minor violations were hit by full enforcement procedures. This also applies to the processing of applications.

The chamber therefore expects that the change process currently underway within MEPA will not be another useless paper exercise but that the recommendations by the board of inquiry be taken on board and implemented not only in the enforcement section but throughout the directorate.

The inquiry noted that experienced and key MEPA personnel were being delegated other duties connected with environmental monitoring at the expense of its efficient operation in the planning field.

The change process should identify the areas where MEPA lacks resources and government should commit itself to providing sufficient funding to enable the authorities to meet its obligations at law.

Although on the whole the recommendations for change could be seen as necessary and effective in the light of the scenario in which the report was drafted, the chamber recommends caution against hasty implementation.

The chamber also welcomes the recommendation by the MEPA board to discuss cases of alleged misconduct by architects in connection with applications for permits, and illegal works.

It notes however that all architects, whether KTP members or not, are subject to disciplinary action by the chamber in case of a breach of ethical conduct. This also includes architects employed by MEPA and therefore expects the authority to report any unethical conduct of its professional staff in the same manner as for architects acting on behalf of developers.