Mepa is changing its policies unilaterally without giving advance notice and without any consultation with the public and interested bodies, the Malta Developers Association (MDA) and the Chamber of Architects (KTP) complained today.
They said that a recent circular established new regulations on the development of gardens and courtyards at the back of buildings, the use of basements for residential purposes and the change of use of garages that are part of residential houses.
These changes affected both future applications as well as applications that were still being processed by Mepa, the organisations said.
Mepa was thus reneging on its obligations to consult the public on policy changes, and moving the goal posts for applicants.
MDA and the KTP appealed to the authorities to ensure that Mepa stopped the changes and followed the procedures laid down by the law.