Any changes to the planning authority’s composition must ensure that clear measures are in place to safeguard the principles of sustainable development, according to environmental NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa.

The organisation welcomed the public consultation process, called Semma Leħnek (Have Your Say), announced by the Parliamentary Secretary for Planning, Michael Farrugia.

The three-week initiative forms part of the plan to separate the authority’s planning and environmental arms, which would also lead to a regulator having less bureaucracy and more transparency.

“While Dr Farrugia has highlighted the objective to reduce bureaucracy in development planning, it is still not clear which measures will be put into place to ensure that principles of sustainable development will be firmly safeguarded. These measures must be clearly spelt out,” the NGO said.

A Din l-Art Ħelwa online survey in January showed that the most pressing issue for the public was to “stop the building”. However, the NGO noted, the reduction in planning application fees and simplification of development planning procedures give “the undesirable message” that more building development can be encouraged by the Government – to the detriment of the environment.

The NGO insists on having public participation in all environmental issues, particularly when it comes to land use. Fast-tracking certain applications without the scrutiny of a public committee meeting, could reduce bureaucracy but would also reduce transparency, it says.

While policy changes may be necessary, all changes must seek to ensure the environment is safeguarded.

Amendments to the local plans or major land reclamation initiatives should not be contemplated before a comprehensive strategic vision is in place following all necessary environmental assessments and consultation, DLĦ said.