Politicians will not be able to sanction illegal developments through the new powers granted in the planning authority demerger, government consultant Robert Musumeci said yesterday.

Speaking from the sidelines of a public information session on the reform, Mr Musumeci said the new setup would simply enable the minister, in this case parliamentary secretary Michael Falzon, to draft new regulations.

These, he explained, could include rules offering applicants an avenue through which to apply to sanction irregular developments once conventional avenues have proven unsuccessful.

However, such cases would not be decided by the parliamentary secretary’s office but by the new planning board, just like any other development application.

“The media has incorrectly reported that the minister will be able to sanction illegal developments. This simply is not true. It is an absurd interpretation.

“Essentially what will happen is not so different from the current situation,” Mr Musumeci said.

He was giving a technical overview of the three Bills designed to split the Malta Environment and Planning Authority into a new Environment Authority and a separate Planning Authority.

The technical briefing gave a list of the demerger’s “strengths” but did not point to any weaknesses.

Among the positives listed by Mr Musumeci were the extension of the objection submission window from 20 to 30 days and the publication of method statements.

The media has incorrectly reported that the minister will be able to sanction illegal developments. This simply is not true. It is an absurd interpretation

“Now if someone is developing a property next door, you will be able to see what drilling and digging will take place,” he said.

The reform is also proposing the setting up of a separate tribunal to hear appeals from decisions on planning and environment decisions.

Mr Musumeci described the tribunal as one of the reform’s main innovations, which would offer all concerned parties an opportunity to try and overturn permit decisions.

“We currently have a situation where the board’s decision on an application is final. Now all parties, be they developers, objectors or even competent authorities, will be able to appeal,” he said. Another “innovation” would be the introduction of representatives from conservationist NGOs to the planning board.

Mr Musumeci said the board would also include five “independent” members.

Asked how these would be selected, Mr Musumeci said this would be at the discretion of the minister. He added that they would have to have displayed integrity and “knowledge in key areas” including commerce, culture and environmental matters.

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