NGO Front Ħarsien ODZ has suggested further ways to deter projects on ODZ land.

Reacting to a Nationalist Party suggestion last week that ODZ projects should be subject to two-thirds majority approval in Parliament, Front Ħarsien ODZ suggested a multitude of additional safeguards.

In a statement, the NGO suggested that this two-thirds majority should be an additional safeguard only when the ODZ development was approved by the Planning Authority (PA) following a full and transparent planning process.

However, a PA refusal should be seen as final (apart from the tribunal appeal) and no vote should be taken in Parliament, Front Ħarsien ODZ stated.

So as to avoid dubious loopholes

The NGO said that under no conditions should a two-thirds parliamentary majority be sufficient for ODZ applications to go ahead, as these should always need PA approval beforehand.

“Under no circumstance should ODZ applications be approved by a simple parliamentary majority. Should the two-thirds majority not be reached after the third vote, the application will be deemed as refused,” it suggested.

“The process should complement the Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development (SPED) and the Planning Authority process. The parliamentary committee for the environment – which also comprises civil society representatives – should take part in the parliamentary process,” Front Ħarsien ODZ said.

The NGO insisted that the two-thirds majority requirement should also apply to any revision in development boundaries.

“A national consultation process should define the parameters concerning which type of ODZ projects would require such approval. For example, projects qualifying for an environmental impact assessment should also qualify.

“SPED should be a more comprehensive policy document so as to avoid dubious loopholes, and  existing policies regulating development in the ODZ should be reformed in a way that such development would be further curtailed,” Front Ħarsien ODZ said.