Updated: Mepa to remain responsible for issuing permits, government to decide strategic policy

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The Malta Environment and Planning Authority will remain responsible for issuing permits as well as for the revision of local plans and the structure plan, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said.

Closing a consultation conference on the proposed reform at the authority, Dr Gonzi said he felt the need to address the issue of moving the policy unit to the Office of the Prime Minister.

He made it clear that the issuing of permits would remain Mepa’s responsibility as would the revision of local plans and the structure plan. The government, he said, would be deciding strategic policy.

Dr Gonzi apologised that the document gave the impression that government was more interested in planning than the environment.

The environment was an important issue and over the next few weeks the government would be concentrating more on the issue to spell out what it intended to do.

He also announced that cabinet this week approved a bill on the management of building sites.

See also:

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090731/local/mepa-to-retain-policy-formulation-role