The Nationalist Party is no longer contesting the separation of the environment and planning arms of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority but is concerned that such separation was relegating the environment to second division.

Addressing a news conference this afternoon, spokesmen Ryan Callus and Charlo Bonnici said the proposal to allow for the constant revision of strategic and local plans was unsustainable.

They expressed concern that the minister would have the power to regularise buildings which had not been built according to law, making the illegal legal.

Another concern was the Planning Appeals Board members would be appointed by the Prime Minister. Mr Callus said the board should be moved to the Administrative Justice Act for it to become a truly independent body.

He noted that the government would be revising scheduling every 10 years. This, he said, would not encourage the owners of such property to take good care of it.

Mr Callus said that while the Nationalist Party agreed with the fast tracking of procedures, it wanted more safeguards to ensure that the decisions were not taken by just one person.

Mr Bonnici expressed concern that the environment would only be represented by one vote on the authority taking planning decisions.

This authority would only be able to appeal a decision but this should be the exception and not the rule.

He said that while the PN agreed with self-regulation, enforcement was necessary.