Planning Authority (Malta) Explained

Planning Authority
Native Name:Maltese

Awtorità tal-Ippjanar

Preceding1:Malta Environment and Planning Authority
Jurisdiction: Malta
Headquarters:St Francis Ravelin, Floriana
St Martha Street, Victoria, Gozo
Coordinates:35.8901°N 14.5028°W
36.0427°N 14.2469°W
Chief1 Name:Martin Saliba
Chief1 Position:Executive Chairperson

The Planning Authority (PA, Maltese: Awtorità tal-Ippjanar), sometimes still popularly mistakenly referred to as the previous MEPA, is a government agency which is responsible for land use and planning in Malta.

It was established on 4 April 2016 from the demerger of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, which also resulted in the creation of the Environment and Resources Authority.[1]

Structure

The Planning Authority consists of a number of boards and committees:[2]

Criticism

The Planning Authority is often criticized by locals and NGOs for approving permits for apartment flats that are deemed uncharacteristic for Malta's traditional landscape, with the flats considered overly large and made from non-limestone materials. It is also criticized for removing old villas and other buildings, despite the local populace often protesting against this.[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Notes and References

  1. News: Schembri . Gabriel . MEPA demerger comes into force today as Planning Authority is officially launched . . 4 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180713174227/http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2016-04-04/local-news/MEPA-demerger-comes-into-force-today-as-Planning-Authority-is-officially-launched-6736155810 . 13 July 2018.
  2. Web site: Boards and Committees . Planning Authority . https://web.archive.org/web/20200610232118/https://www.pa.org.mt/en/boards-and-committees . 10 June 2020.
  3. Web site: Planning Authority set to approve controversial application for Saqqajja Hill hotel. 2021-05-03. theshiftnews.com. en.
  4. Web site: 2020-06-17. Environment groups sue planning authority in Malta. 2021-05-03. Peoples Dispatch. en-US.
  5. Web site: Controversial Naxxar project sent back to the drawing board. 2021-05-03. Times of Malta. en-gb.
  6. Web site: NGOs look to fight 'rigged' planning appeal decisions. 2021-05-03. Times of Malta. en-gb.
  7. Web site: Cottonera residents flag controversial planning applications on Facebook. 2021-05-03. Times of Malta. en-gb.
  8. Web site: Activists, residents in final appeal against ITS development. 2021-05-03. Times of Malta. en-gb.