The planning authority was yesterday accused of flouting Maltese and EU law to “appease developers”, by failing to require new developments to have energy performance certificates.

Environmental group Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar said it was unthinkable the planning directorate still did not take European and national legislation seriously despite the group having filed hundreds of objections about the lack of certificates.

FAA referred to a permit granted last week for a large social housing development in Kirkop, saying “it lacked the legally required energy performance certificate”.

This showed that the authorities “are prepared to flout Maltese and EU law” even in a case where the planning commission chairman said the “government should lead by example”.

The failure to enforce energy performance certificates for permits was to “appease developers”, FAA charged.

They are failing to enforce energy performance certificates

The planning authority’s policy and design guidelines state it “will encourage the design of buildings to save energy, the incorporation of specific energy efficiency measures and use of renewable sources of energy in new developments”.

This confirmed it was the planning authority’s remit to ensure buildings were energy efficient, FAA said.

While many homeowners were appreciating the long-term benefits of properties that incorporated energy-saving technology, “some developers take a short-sighted approach to sell a product that is cheaper in every way”.

The authority’s refusal to implement the law would have grave consequences as it would affect the environment and increase Malta’s energy bill, as well as exposing the taxpayer to heavy fines from the EU, FAA said.

This attitude made a mockery of the government’s assurances that it would reach Malta’s national 2020 target of producing 10 per cent of energy from renewable sources.

It was in the developers’ own interest to certify that energy efficiency measures were implemented and the group urged the authorities to enforce the law.