Mepa's new commission

A recently-set-up commission will focus solely on reviewing and streamlining the Malta Environment and Planning Authority's internal policies.

Among other things, the commission will examine Mepa's structural policies to analyse if any overlap or are obsolete.

However, the remit of the ad hoc committee does not extend to revising the local and structural plans.

Launched last Friday by Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco, the commission is part of the Mepa process and is expected to give its recommendations until the end of this year.

Outside development zone policies will only be revised by Mepa following a public consultation and based on guidelines by the Strategic Development Unit, which will be set up in the Office of the Prime Minister.

These recommendations would help the authority become more transparent, user-friendly and consistent, Dr de Marco said.

A call was issued for anybody interested in forming part of the two Development Control Commission boards on a full-time basis.

Next week, there will be another call for applications for those interested in sitting on the planning appeals board.