Environment NGO Din l-Art Helwa this morning questioned the government’s decision to launch a revision of the Local Plans without an updated strategy in place. It said  that the government should steer clear of hasty and piecemeal decision-making with long-term effects on the environment.

"The existing Local Plans were drawn up under the overall strategy provided by the Structure Plan of 1990. An exercise to revise the Structure Plan through the new Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development (SPED) had already commenced last year.

"Din l-Art Helwa calls on the government to complete a full strategic plan, with all the required public consultation, before revising the Local Plans. This should also be subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) before being adopted."

The NGO also called on the authorities to respect all established environmental safeguards and procedures.

"Changes to the Local Plans will have far-reaching impacts on land use, and the government must not opt for short cuts when our environment is at stake," it said.

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