Updated 6.50pm with government reaction
Opposition leader Simon Busuttil today promised to re-negotiate a controversial deal granting virgin land at Żonqor Point to a private developer if elected as Prime Minister.
Addressing a conference during the launch of the PN’s proposals for the environment, Dr Busuttil said the PN would enter into negotiations with the American University of Malta (AUM) to find an alternative location.
The land-transfer deal was approved by Parliament in December 2015 after months of protests and opposition by the PN.
The document launched today contains 16 key focus areas and 171 proposals.
Among the proposals are a skyline policy, the exclusion of land-reclamation for speculative purposes and an increased emphasis on solar rights.
The Opposition leader spoke of the need to enshrine environmental protection into the Constitution.
A PN government would seek to ensure that the Environmental and Resources Authority would be transformed from the toothless entity it was today
He said a PN government would seek to ensure that the Environmental and Resources Authority would be transformed from the toothless entity it was today.
It would be given all the necessary resources to protect the environment, he said.
Dr Busuttil said the PN was firmly against turning Malta into another Dubai.
He said Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s way of doing politics when it came to the environment was a clear reflection of his values.
Dr Busuttil said the policy was another step towards the PN reinventing itself. He said the document was a work in progress and further suggestions would be welcomed.
Opposition wants to turn the clock back - government
The government said the Opposition's document failed to mention the issue of heavy fuel oil, which would once again lead to harmful emissions.
The Marsa power station had been shut down and the government was promoting the use of renewable energy.
In a statement, the government said it was providing NGOs with land to manage, while it was introducing incentives to help people invest in properties in the heart of villages, rather than in new areas.
"Above all, we've seen the creation of an Environment Authority which monitors planning, an initiative the Opposition had objected to."
"With its record in government, the Opposition has no credibility, especially since it still boasts MPs who had given two million square metres of land outside development zone for new dwellings."
Finally, a party is protecting citizens rather than developers - FAA
In a reaction, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar welcomed the PN's proposals in favour of environment and heritage.
The entrenchment of environmental rights for citizens in the constitution is an essential first step. Equally urgent is the repealing of the very damaging design guidelines of 2015 which permit two more storeys in Malta's towns and villages.
"FAA calls for the reinstatement of ethics, which would preclude working architects from places on the PA's Boards which is leading to abuse. FAA supports the proposed fiscal incentives for the restoration of heritage properties, but calls on the Planning Authority and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage to immediately block the present wave of destruction of heritage homes, or there will be nothing left to preserve."
The NGO said it welcomes the fact that finally one of the two main parties has realised that its role is to protect the health and quality of life of people, rather than to promote the interests of a handful of developers.
In its reaction, Front Ħarsien ODZ welcomed Dr Busuttil's declaration and said that all political parties save for Labour were against the Żonqor development.
"What is the Prime Minister waiting for to stop the destruction of Żonqor," it asked.
It said it will be commenting on the entire PN environmental document next week.