A number of resident groups and NGO Il-Kollettiv have stated that any review of the Local Plans must not lead to further development, whilst reiterating their proposals in favour of a comprehensive planning reform.

Noting statements made by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, the groups remarked that a review of the Local Plans without a suspension of development in rationalisation zones would effectively lead to more construction.

“The government should introduce measures to enforce the protections in the Local Plans, and eliminate the various loopholes in secondary policies such as the DC15 and its annexes, which have led to a spate of applications for tall buildings on UCA borders,” Il-Kollettiv said in a recent statement.

The groups have already called on the Prime Minister and Planning Minister to discuss the thirteen proposals sent to them in July.

Besides a moratorium on the rationalisation zones, residents have called for a suspension of large projects, the enforcement of buffer zones around UCA, the refusal of applications for new roads opening virgin land for development, a suspension of the DC15 reform presented in February 2024, and the publication of revised DC15 and SPED policies by the Planning Authority.

“The Prime Minister and his Cabinet have been insisting that Local Plans cannot change, now the tune is starting to change. We wonder if this is a way to justify the shambolic way in which the change in the St Julians Local Plan is being carried out, or a ploy to further weaken the protection afforded to our towns by the Local Plans,” said Wayne Flask, Secretary of il-Kollettiv.

“It’s worrying to hear the Prime Minister implying that rationalisation zones are here to stay. These are the main source of anger for many residents, especially in towns where the borders are no longer recognisable, and whose identity is being rapidly lost to development,” he expressed. 

“In Żurrieq and the surrounding region, the plan is to create one huge agglomeration of built-up land, which will result in the destruction of the green belt, lead to more congestion, and generate overpopulation.”

Back in July, the resident groups held a press conference in Żurrieq where they highlighted the issues in their towns.

They then wrote to the Prime Minister and Planning Minister, in a letter signed by the Għaqda Residenti taż-Żurrieq, Għaqda Storja u Kultura Birżebbuġa, Għaqda Storja u Kulturali Marsa, Inħarsu Santa Luċija, Residenti tal-Imqabba, Residenti tal-Qrendi, Residenti ta’ Ħal Safi, Residenti tas-Swatar, Siġġiwin Nieħdu Azzjoni, Sliema Residents Association, Marsaskala Residents Network, Marsaxlokk Heritage, Wirt iż-Żejtun and il Kollettiv.

No reply has been received yet.

Ultimately, the groups are calling on the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition for a serious discussion on their points for a planning reform, also noting how both major parties have publicly admitted their availability to meet big developers.

The proposals being made can be read in full here.

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