The repercussions of the rezoning of areas all over Malta, allowing blocks with "semi-basements" and penthouses to be built all over the place, including Attard, by the Nationalist government, are still being felt.

The construction frenzy this has brought about means that areas which had settled down after decades of construction activity have once again been turned into construction sites. It means that local councils cannot keep up with the broken pavements, increased traffic and broken roads.

People are being buried in their own homes: deprived of sunlight and sandwiched between blocks of flats in areas which were previously two-storey areas.

What surprises me is the impression Nationalist politicians give people.

They speak as if these rules appeared out of thin air; that it is all Mepa's doing. The facts are clear: All this is happening because Mepa and various other planning commissions are following rules, regulations and plans approved in 2006 by Minister George Pullicino and presumably discussed at Cabinet level including with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi. The responsibility lies squarely on the Nationalist government. But something can be done.

I urge those who wish to propose changes to the Central Malta Local Plan to pass on their suggestions to me on e-mail racas@waldonet.net.mt so that I can present them to the Attard local council and eventually Mepa for consideration. Any revision of Local Plans has to be approved by the minister in charge, currently the Prime Minister.