More transparency, more efficiency

Picture this. It is 1998. Michael is an architect. He runs a small private practice. His client owns a site along a major road. He wants to develop an office block with a large shop on ground floor. Michael is unsure whether what the client is requesting would be acceptable. He would like to check how other similar developments were assessed, but it is not possible to view the case officer's report for other applications. He tries to access the website but this is very limited and there is little or no information which could be of use to him for this application.

Michael enjoys architectural design but detests all the paperwork that goes with it. He sets off to the bank at 8.30 a.m. After spending more than 15 minutes trying to find a parking space and 10 more minutes waiting in a queue, he pays for the development application. He then goes to the printing bureau to make copies of the plans. Yet again, he is out of luck as far as parking and queues are concerned and he wastes 40 more minutes. Finally, he is off to the Planning Authority to submit the application. Again he has to play the waiting game. He first joins a queue to submit the application and then he joins another queue to buy a site plan he needs for another application. All this after spending over half an hour to get to Floriana and find parking space. He arrives back in his office at one o'clock. He laments the time it took him to carry out such mundane tasks.

Thomas and Louise have recently moved into their terraced house. They have been saving for their new home for over a decade. A few hundred metres from their home a new industrial development is being proposed and an environmental impact assessment was prepared. Thomas and Louise would have liked to view the EIA and possibly also submit their views. In spite of their repeated requests, there was no way they could see the EIA.

It is now 2008. Michael is still working as an architect with his own private practice. He needs to submit an application for a block of flats. He would very much like to view the permits that were issued in the area. He sits at his computer and makes a search of relevant files from E-Applications on Mepa's website. He then checks the local plan for the area and other relevant policy documents. He also downloads the site plan. Within one or two hours he has all the information he needs without having had to leave his desk.

Three days later the drawings are complete and confirmed by the client. He sits at his desk and submits the plans and the application forms to Mepa in digital format by means of E-Applications. He effects the relevant payment for the application also through the internet. He is relieved that he does not need to go to the bank to effect payment for the development application as he used to before. Nor does he need to go to Mepa to submit the plans. It has become so much easier now. Other than to visit the site, he does not even need to leave his office to submit an application.

Michael receives a phone call from a friend of his who is concerned about a major development being proposed in his neighbourhood. A public consultation process on the environmental impact assessment is currently underway. Michael advises his friend how to access the EIA from the website and how to make submissions. Michael reminds his friend that he can monitor progress of the application through E-Applications and that he will also be able to view the case officer's report when this is completed.

Thomas and Louise got to know about an application that was submitted for the redevelopment of a house next door. They got to know from the site notice that was attached to the façade. They accessed the E-Applications on the Mepa website to find out what was being proposed.

They also viewed the local plan and the development control guidance, again over the internet, to find out what would be permitted. They were unsure how it would affect their property, so the following day they went to their architect to view the plans, again through E-Applications. They noticed that the proposed development was not in accordance with the development control guidance, so they decided to submit their objection. Again they did this over the internet.

They were told by a friend of theirs that they should not have any difficulty to get all the relevant information and make a submission, but they never imagined that it would be this easy.

When the application was due to be considered by the DCC board, Thomas and Louise received an e-mail informing them of the date and time. They decided to attend and also had the opportunity to make their verbal representations to the board. The proposed development was amended to bring it in line with the development control guidance and a permit was issued. They followed the discussion and saw the vote being taken.

Easier access to information means greater transparency and increased efficiency.

Mr Pullicino is Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment.