The Malta Business Weekly

Farrugia falls back on 2006 local plan changes when challenged over excessive developmen­t

- SEMIRA ABBAS SHALAN

Environmen­t Minister Aaron Farrugia fell back onto blaming the 2006 changes to Malta and Gozo’s local plans by a PN government when challenged over concerns about excessive levels of developmen­t in Gozo.

Asked by The Malta Independen­t about criticism from several entities on the level of constructi­on developmen­t which has enveloped Gozo in recent months, Farrugia said that the developmen­ts which are underway in Xlendi, as well as in other areas, are permitted only because of changes made to local plans in 2006, by the government back then.

The minister added that gov

Environmen­t Minister Aaron Farrugia

ernment is looking over the Strategic Plan for Environmen­t and Developmen­t (SPED) which will enable au

thorities to discern the types of developmen­ts needed and where they should be.

Farrugia added that several studies are being carried out, however, these will take time. In the meantime, he said that he has personally met with

Gozitan mayors who have presented initiative­s which are being discussed with the Planning Authority. He added that they will announce these initiative­s at the first opportunit­y.

It’s not the first time that government has used the PN government’s planning decisions from 15 years ago to stave off criticism on excessive developmen­t.

Prime Minister Robert Abela blamed the policy for plans to develop Hondoq ir-Rummien in Gozo into a luxury harbour and village, and similar things were said in the controvers­y surroundin­g government’s intention to construct a yacht marina in Marsascala bay.

Developmen­t in Gozo has been met with abundant criticism from several NGOs as well as the Church, with the recent demolition of the Boathouse restaurant in Xlendi for its subsequent replacemen­t by a six-storey block of flats being the most recent bone of contention.

NGOs have called for the revision of further developmen­t plans in Gozo, as have many members of the public.

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