The main emphasis of the draft Outside Development Zone policy, issued by the government for consultation, is clearly on establishing ways to allow construction in the countryside rather than protecting it, according to Din l-Art Ħelwa.

This important planning document, it said, had been put forward in a vacuum, without any supporting studies and assessments. It was an example of piecemeal planning without any strategic or long-term vision.

The policy should be shelved until the situation in the countryside was studied.

“Without this assessment, the entire document is premature and superficial.”