The setting up of a new Business Development Unit within the Planning Directorate is enabling the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) to provide a more efficient and business-oriented service, with a strong emphasis on reducing bureaucratic procedures, thus increasing efficiency.
Over the past months, the authority introduced a number of new measures and initiatives to create a better climate for businesses to operate and grow.
One of the first measures is the substantial reduction of fees when submitting a planning application. On average, planning application tariffs for a proposed commercial development has seen a 34 per cent reduction.
To further encourage businesses to invest and regenerate our village cores, works associated with the restoration and rehabilitation of old buildings are exempt from a planning application fee.
To reduce red tape and bureaucracy on development applications, the authority extended the validity period of all expired planning development permits issued after August 3, 2006, until March 2015. It also increased the validity period of a compliance certificate from six weeks to three months.
The authority has worked intensely on updating and enacting a number of new planning policies, making them more pertinent to today’s realities. Such policies which have a strong bearing on the commercial sector include the publication of a new legal notice regulating the Use Classes Order, the Floor Area Ratio Policy regulating tall buildings and the revision of the Hotel Height Limitation Policy.
Other policies and plans that are relevant to businesses and are being updated include the Structure Plan and Local Plans, the Solar Farm policy, the Development Control Policy and Design Guidance and the Fuel and Service Station Policy.
A protocol aimed at addressing grey areas regarding accessibility for people with mobility problems has been agreed with the National Commission for Persons with Disability (KNPD). This protocol will facilitate that certain commercial activities will be exempt from the ‘access for all’ regulations.
In the coming weeks, the authority will further enhance the one-stop shop concept, which will make the procedure and system for applying for a development permit simpler and cheaper.
Furthermore, Mepa continues to welcome suggestions from the public and the business community on how to further reduce bureaucratic procedures and increase efficiency within the Authority. These suggestions can be made by calling the coordination unit on 2290 2005. For more information about the Businessense measures and initiatives visit www.mepa.org.mt/businessense.