Din l-Art Helwa has requested MEPA to extend the timeframes which give the public one week to react and place submissions on ODZ policies review.

These will affect and relax current policies on Out of Development Zone construction projects, it said adding that the time proposed for submissions was far too short for a public consultation exercise of this nature 'when the future of our countryside is at stake’.

The objectives of the review are:
* to consolidate policies into one concise document;
* to ensure a balance between the protection of the environment and development in areas Outside Development Zone (ODZ);
* to improve upon the policies and simplify the planning process related to agriculture in order to assist the genuine farmer;
* to encourage water conservation and to ensure the sustainable management of water resources;
* to provide new opportunities for agriculture diversification by farm gate sales, visitor attractions and agro-tourism accommodation;
* to redevelop/rehabilitate permitted buildings (including pre 1967 buildings) with the scope of eliminating the damaging visual intrusion
on the rural scene;
* to make good use of scheduled historic buildings Outside Development Zone.