The Opposition is challenging the government’s decision to exempt development in several public hospitals from the obligation of an environment impact assessment.

Nationalist MPs Marthese Portelli and Ryan Callus yesterday gave notice of a parliamentary motion to challenge two legal notices tabled earlier this month.

The legal notices exempt public hospitals from the planning obligation of conducting an impact assessment for any construction that could take place. They also allow development to happen without the need for a full permit.

The decision raised eyebrows because the marked sites include St Luke’s, Karin Grech and Gozo General hospitals, which are earmarked for privatisation. The government is in negotiations with Vitalis, a private operator, for the redevelopment of the three hospitals to provide both private and public healthcare services.

In Gozo’s case, the development will include the construction of a new hospital and a medical school campus to be used by Barts, unlike St Luke’s and Karin Grech, where existing buildings will be modified.

The Opposition MPs contend that the legal notices fall foul of EU regulations arguing that the exemptions allowed at law could not be used to exclude beforehand any development on hospital sites.

Dr Portelli and Mr Callus are calling on Parliament to strike off the legal notices.

kurt.sansone@timesofmalta.com