I refer to the report Heritage Group Want Deadline Extension (September 11).

The article in question quotes Din l-Art Ħelwa as saying that the planning authority only gave the public one week in which to react to the proposed Outside Development Zone (ODZ) Policy and Design Guidance objectives.

The planning authority would like to clarify that the public and all interested parties were given 17 days in which to submit their comments on these objectives.

Mepa launched a series of newspaper adverts on August 31. In this initial phase, only the objectives for the review of the policy were published, for which feedback was sought from the public.

Following this, Mepa, in the coming weeks, will finalise and publish the proposed policy and design guidance for ODZ areas.

During this second phase, the public will be given six weeks to submit their comments.

The proposed objectives that will guide the formulation of the ODZ policies seek to:

- consolidate three current policy documents into one;

- ensure a balance between the protection of the environment and development in ODZ areas;

- improve upon the policies and simplify the planning process related to agriculture in order to assist the genuine farmer;

- encourage water conservation and ensure the sustainable management of water resources;

- provide new opportunities for agriculture diversification by farm gate sales, visitor attractions and agro-tourism accommodation;

- redevelop/rehabilitate permitted buildings (including pre-1967 buildings) with the aim of eliminating the damaging visual intrusion on the rural scene;

- make good use of scheduled historic buildings outside development zone.