Din l-Art Helwa has criticised the Mepa Board for approving the new ODZ policy only days before a discussion on procedures governing the launch of new planning regulations was discussed by a parliamentary committee.

The new planning regulations were also being brought in before a new Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development (SPED).

Din l-Art Helwa noted that the draft of the new SPED will be issued for public consultation by the end of February or early March. 

"It goes without saying that the new SPED, following consultation and environmental assessments, should guide any new planning policies," the NGO said.

It insisted that all planning policies currently being revised or introduced by Mepa should therefore be reissued for public consultation once the SPED has been issued.