The Opposition’s pre-Budget proposal of raising the value of ODZ land to equal that of land in prime development zones would benefit only property speculators, according to the government.

A government spokesman said the proposal meant the PN believed ODZ land could be developed so long as it was given the same price as prime development zones.

“The proposal could mean an environmental disaster of even bigger proportions than the PN government rationalization scheme in 2007, which gave up to 1.2 million square metres of ODZ for development,” he said.

Meanwhile, NGOs have warned that while the proposal might slow development, ODZ land is ultimately priceless and should not be touched.

And Labour MP Marlene Farrugia pointed out that the balance between built-up sites, open spaces within built-up areas and open countryside was lost years ago and the island could not afford to sacrifice ODZ land.

Read more in the Times of Malta

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