Development zones and building heights should not be increased while green and pedestrian spaces in urban areas should be increased, heritage organisation Din l-Art Ħelwa has recommended in submissions to the revised local plans.

The group also said that major land reclamation projects should only be considered for reasons of national strategic importance.

The Government plans to revise the seven local plans through a wide-ranging consultation process.

DLĦ called for the measures and policies listed in the National Environment Policy to be included in the revised local plans.

The group said the National Environment Policy “provides direction” for all sectors that affect the environment.

It also called on the Government to complete an overall strategic plan tackling the effect of development on the environment and quality of life before revising the local plans.

The strengths and weaknesses of the existing local plans should then be identified in relation to the strategy, it said. The strategy, which should be made public, should include capacity of urban areas, traffic flow, vacant housing stock and visual amenity.

The local plans should promote rainwater harvesting, regeneration of historic areas and buildings, harmonious streetscapes, quality in the design of buildings and landscaping.

The NGO said these should also prevent the loss and fragmentation of agricultural land and no further residential development should be permitted outside the development zones, including for agri-tourism.

The document with Din l-Art Ħelwa’s comments can be seen on www.dinlarthelwa.org.