MEPA public board meetings on developments which raise considerable public interest are to start being held at the Robert Sammut Hall in Floriana as from October 1.

MEPA chairman Mr Austin Walker said this decision was another small step forward that would reassure the public that MEPA listened and noted inconveniences in the way it operated.

"We are determined to ensure that this authority will excel in the areas of participation, efficiency and transparency," he said.

Currently all MEPA board public meetings are held in the MEPA boardroom at the authority's offices. Although this venue comfortably accommodated the weekly operations of the MEPA board, the place only seated a maximum of 50 persons, making it inconvenient and inadequate for public meetings that draw a sizeable number of persons.