Architects rail against Planning Authority freeze on applications during Easter

Architects attempting to submit new planning applications this week through the Planning Authority’s online portal were notified that the period between 10-16 April will be a period of inactivity as defined by legal notice, preventing any new applications from being submitted during this period.

The Chamber of Architects said it had protested in writing with the Planning Authority and the Parliamentary Secretary for Planning, Deborah Schembri, against the unilateral freeze on new applications submitted during the week.

“This is completely unacceptable, more so because it does not arise out of any regulation that applications may not be submitted during the Authority's inactive period. Article 16 of LN 162 of 2016 states clearly that the only impact of the Authority’s shut-down periods is to suspend ongoing time frames and extend them accordingly,” the Chamber said.

The Chamber said no response had yet been received from the authorities.

“This action from the PA, which completely disregards commitments which periti have with their clients, and which individuals have with other third parties, is not on. The Kamra tal-Periti insists that this situation is reversed immediately.”