Updated: MEPA board presents reform proposals, chairman submits resignation

MEPA chairman Andrew Calleja this morning announced his board's proposals for a reform of the authority and also revealed that he had submitted his resignation, effective from June 13, saying he did not wish to serve another term.

The proposals, called Change for Sustainable Growth, broaden the appeal and redress procedure and also call for closer collaboration between the various Mepa directorates.

The MEPA board is proposing the setting up of an Environmental and Planning Screening Unit to assess the possibility of certain development proposals being actuated and to identify the planning and environmental constraints in the areas concerns. Should the proposed development require further studies, such as an environment impact assessment, the client would be notified at that stage and costings could thus be planned in advance. The unit would assess developments seen as major as well as those falling outside development areas and those affecting scheduled properties, among others.

With regard to the planning application process the board said that when a development application is refused, a request for reconsideration should be limited only to contestations of permit conditions.

It proposed an improved system of notification of proposed development so as to enable the people to be better able to submit their representations.

The board said the number of development control commissions should be reduced to two, from the current three, and the members should be appointed full time. One commission would deal with applications for areas outside development zones or major projects while the other would consider all other applications. The first commission would have a wider representation of members with expertise on urban design, architecture, environmental, rural and heritage issues. The chairmen of the two boards should also attend MEPA board meetings.

The MEPA board suggested that the location, funding and administration of the appeals board should be completely independent of MEPA.

“The minister has already announced government’s intentions to amend the Development Planning Act to allow for the submission of an appeal, in specific situations, to stop the execution of a permit. It is therefore being proposed that a third appeals panel should be constituted and regulated in such a manner that it can deal expeditiously with this type of appeal and with appeals from enforcement notices,” the board said.

It also suggested that a magistrate should be tasked with planning/enforcement issues so as to shorten the time frames in cases where MEPA requires immediate action on enforcement notices.