The government has ‘confirmed’ that the Environment Ministry and the Parliamentary Secretariat for Planning did not consult Mepa when they waived the need for a permitting process and an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for development within designated hospital zones.

Two legal notices issued on Friday delete the words “after consultation with Mepa” from the preamble of another two legal notices, issued a week earlier that amended the EIA and planning legislation. Those legal notices, introducing the waivers, had said the decision was taken by the ministry and the secretariat, 'after consultation with Mepa' 

“Technical corrections in the field of legal drafting are, of course, not a rare occurrence and are made from time to time whenever the need arises,” a government spokesman said.

Last June, Singaporean firm Vitals Global Healthcare was selected by the government as the preferred bidder for a €200 million investment in the redevelopment of  St Luke’s and Karin Grech Rehabilitation Hospital in Guardamangia as well as the construction of a new block at the Gozo General Hospital. The latter site will also host a new medical school and campus to be used by Barts Medical School.
 
The legal changes were questioned by Alternattiva Demokratika deputy chairperson Carmel Cacopardo. He told the Times of Malta that the timing of these changes fuelled suspicion that government was introducing them by stealth.

“This is a throwback to the pre-1992 days, when government had no obligation to subject itself to planning laws like any other common citizen,” Mr Cacopardo said.

Mr Cacopardo, an architect specialised in planning laws, said the planning exemption could be particularly damaging to Gozo because the hospital was so close to residential areas.

“Who will ensure that any development will not pose hazards to nearby residents such as with the emission of certain fumes?” he asked.