Vince Cassar touted for MEPA top job

Chamber of Architects boss Vince Cassar is set to replace Austin Walker as Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) chairman, MaltaToday has learnt.

Cassar, who also served on the Architects' Council of Europe (ACE) has been critical of the 2010 MEPA reform and in a recent interview with MaltaToday, he spoke at length on the failed reform.

On Labour's proposal to separate the environmental and planning wings of MEPA, Cassar had said that it was difficult to say what this would achieve.

"The two are intrinsically connected and decisions taken by one affect the other. Sustainable development is based on three main pillars - environmental, economic and socio-political sustainability. The three aspects cannot be separated and any decision taken needs to be based on an analysis of how the proposed development impacts on these three issues," he said.

Cassar had stressed that the environment is made up of the built environment, infrastructure, resources and cultural heritage, adding that "all of these should have equal weighting in the decision making process."

He however noted that the time had some to review the way the Planning Directorate consults with relevant entities, including the Environment Directorate and how it tables reports recommending what decision should be taken with respect to a proposed development.

"The Planning Directorate should focus on land use issues and make its recommendations solely in this regard, and its recommendation should be tabled together and at par with all other responses from consultees. It is then up to the decision maker to seek to achieve a balance that, as far as possible, addresses as many of the concerns raised as possible."

He had also said that having Planning and Environment together with Resources under one Ministry, "would perhaps result in more synergy between these functions and lead us to give due and proper consider to the concept of Integrated Resource Management."