Environmental lobby groups will be holding a protest march later this month to raise awareness on the “tragic” state of the planning authority.
Nine NGOs called on the public to join in a demonstration calling on the Government to put the environment first.
Din L-Art Ħelwa president Simone Mizzi accused the Government of playing to the interests of property developers and speculators.
“Just look around at the tragic results of poor planning all over the country. It’s getting out of hand,” she said, pointing out that policy decisions were being taken while the planning authority was undergoing a reform.
Such decisions, she said, put the construction industry above the health of Maltese citizens.
She was addressing a news conference together with representatives from Birdlife Malta, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth, Moviment Graffiti, Greenhouse Malta, Malta Organic Agricultural Movement, Nature Trust Malta and the Rambles’ Association.
She lamented the “ridiculous” decisions which led to the approval of an 800 apartment block in Mistra, and another “monstrous” block in San Gwann. Village cores were also at risk of development, she said, pointing to the recent approval of the demolition of three 700-year-old town houses in the Naxxar village core.
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar spokeswoman Astrid Vella pointed to the authority’s apparent lack of human resources. She said there were not enough enforcement officers to process all reports.
“They can’t manage everything, let alone be proactive and go out and see what’s happening,” she said, adding that the authority had some 7,000 pending enforcements.
Case officers were also on the list of issues. Ms Vella said she was shocked that case officers, assigned to draw up reports on proposed developments, were not making site inspections.
“These people are deciding the fate of a whole community without even going to the development site,” she lamented.
Rambler’s Association spokesman Romano Cassar pointed to the policy proposals which would developments permitted in non development zones through “loop holes”.
“If we can’t keep a handle on what is happening in our built up areas, can you imagine what will happen in the countryside,” he said.
Mr Cassar insisted that a reform of the planning authority would not only help protect the environment but also bolster the country’s economy.
"Will businesses and tourists want to come to an ugly Malta? We are talking about the island’s competitiveness here,” he said.
Ms Vella said the protest was also a call for improved public health.
"The government when in opposition brought up the issues of health in relation to traffic and over development. The situation, however, undermines residents' health. By permitting further building in urban areas we are increasing the amount of toxic vehicle emissions which are trapped by high rise buildings and contributing to health concerns such as lung disease, cancer, heart problems and much more"
The protest will be held on November 30 at 10.30am along Republic Street, Valletta.