Is Malta’s Planning Policy Destined To Rid Us Of Parking Spaces?
Malta’s planning policy geared at levying fees against developers for failing to provide car spaces appears to be eating at the very few public parking facilities left.
A series of parliamentary questions tabled by PN MP Karol Aquilina has revealed how developers have neglected to supply just under 2,000 parking spaces in Sliema and St Julian’s alone since January 2013, generating €3.6 million for the Commuted Parking Payment Scheme (CPPS).
This means that between 2013 and 2018, the average contribution towards CPPS was €1,800.
The number of unprovided spaces is also ominously on the rise, jumping for lows of 52 in 2013 to highs of 227 in 2018, indicating that the policy has done nothing to deter developers from not including on-site parking.
The CPPS is a type of fine issued to developers who are unable to offer on-site parking. The scheme was initially designed to raise funds that will be put towards public parking.
In 2018, a three-tier system was introduced which placed a €2,500 fee if the developer failed to provide one space. If the developers failed to provide three to nine spaces, they would have to pay €6,000 per car space and €10,000 for the 10th space and upwards.
When taking into context the massive profits made within the construction industry, the fee seems minimal, especially when considering that the average price of an apartment in the areas stands at roughly €300,000 as of 2019.
Comparing the two localities, St Julian’s is bearing significantly more pressure, with 1,728 parking spaces not provided, compared to Sliema’s 213
A total of 855 permits issued in the two localities included a CPPS contribution.
Meanwhile, surrounding localities such as Gżira, Pembroke, and Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, all of which are experiencing substantial development, do not even have a CPPS scheme.
Parliament is yet to provide concrete figures for other localities, however, the total figures generated were provided in a PQ last November.
Since 2013, the government has generated €10.5 million euro from the scheme. Using €1,800 as an average, it would indicate that there have been roughly 5,800 parking spaces unprovided by developers.
Last year, the scheme generated €3 million, meaning that roughly 1,500 parking spaces were unprovided for.
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