A developer saw his planning gain reduced from €114,450 to €68,670 this morning after he asked the Malta Environment and Planning Authority board to reconsider.

The planning gain is to be paid on a pre-cast plant in Ta’ Qali, which had been sanctioned in October.

Developer Michael Attard said he requested Mepa to reconsider the planning gain in November. He told the board this morning that he could not pay the amount requested especially in view of the current financial crisis.

He was finding it very difficult to get by especially since 300 employees depended on him. He called upon board chairman Austin Walker to find a solution especially since he had applied for a permit three years ago.

Mr Attard said that he bought the equipment for the new pre-cast plant two years ago but was not yet using it.

He also complained that he was not given enough notice to pay the planning gain.

The case officer explained that the planning gain was calculated on €25 euros per square metre.

The board approved the Mr Attard’s request and reduced the planning gain to €15 per square metre.

It said that this could be made in three equal payments, the first immediately and the other two on a yearly basis.