Local plan revision, MEPA invites public for wide consultation

MEPA will meeting up with every local council and organise a series of public and stakeholder meetings on the revision of local plans for towns.

As opposed to previous public consultation exercises, whereby a six-week period was generally set, the process for the revision of the local plans started off with a three-month public participation exercise, through which the public could highlight any shortcomings that exist in the current local plans.

"MEPA believes that prior to it proposing any amendments to the policies or maps of the existing seven local plans, it is healthier and more productive for society, including local councils and the public, to be engaged in the process from the outset.

"MEPA intends creating planning policies tailored to a sustainable balance between a wide range of citizens' aspirations. This goal can only be reached if the authority gives the public the chance to actively get involved in the entire process," the authority said.

Following the meetings, MEPA will compile new proposed policies which will be issued, once again, for further public consultation.

"MEPA is surprised that a number of NGOs are requesting for this process to get postponed when over the past years they have been calling for the Authority to revise the local plans which they claim are 'laden with mistakes'. Now the NGOs have every opportunity to highlight their claims," the authority said.

"MEPA encourages the public and all stakeholders to use this initial public participation phase to identify any shortcomings that exist in the current local plans and propose new ideas which will better the quality of our lives, and the places in which we live in. The Authority believes that society will be worse off if it allows things to stagnate and not revise these local plans."

MEETINGS

Friday 19th July @ 09.30hrs - Excelsior Hotel Floriana

Stakeholder meeting for NGOs, government agencies and departments, business community and other interested parties.

Monday 22nd July @ 18.00hrs - St. Theresa College, Birkirkara Primary School

Public meeting for residents living within the localities that fall under the Central Local Plan  Attard, Balzan, Birkirkara, Bahar ic-Caghaq, Mriehel, Gharghur, Hamrun, Iklin, Lija, Mosta, Naxxar, Qormi and Santa Venera.

Tuesday 23rd July @ 18.00hrs - St. Nicholas College, Mgarr Primary School

Public meeting for residents living within the localities that fall under the North West Local Plan Mellieha, San Pawl il-Bahar, Bugibba  Qawra, Xemxija, Burmarrad, Mgarr, Zebbiegh, Mdina, Rabat, Bahrija, Mtarfa and Dingli.

Wednesday 24th July @ 18.00hrs - St. Thomas More College,  Marsascala Primary School

Public meeting for residents living within the   localities that fall under the Malta South & Marsaxlokk Bay Local Plan Fgura, Ghaxaq, Gudja, Kirkop, Luqa, Mqabba, Marsascala, Paola, Qrendi, Safi, Siggiewi, Santa Lucija, Tarxien, Xghajra, Zabbar, Zebbug, Zurrieq, Zejtun, Birzebbuga and Marsaxlokk.

Thursday 25th July @ 18.00hrs - Gozo College, Rabat Boys Secondary School

Public meeting for residents living within the   localities that fall under the Gozo & Comino Local Plan Comino, Ghajnsielem, Gharb, Ghasri, Kercem, Munxar, Xlendi, Nadur, Qala, Rabat (Ghawdex), San Lawrenz, Sannat, Xaghra, Xewkija, Zebbug (Gozo), Marsalforn and Fontana

Friday 26th July @ 18.00hrs - St. Margaret College, Bormla Primary School

Public meeting for residents living within the localities that fall under the Grand Harbours Local Plan Valletta, Floriana, Marsa, Kordin, Cospicua (Bormla), Senglea (Isla), Vittoriosa (Birgu) and Kalkara.

Monday 29th July @ 18.00hrs - St. Clare College, San Gwann Primary School

Public meeting for residents living within the localities that fall under the North Habours Local Plan Gzira & Ta' Xbiex, Msida & Pieta, Pembroke, Paceville, San Gwann, Sliema, St. Julian's and Swieqi.

Wednesday 7th August @ 09.30hrs - Grand Hotel, Mgarr, Gozo

Stakeholder meeting for NGOs, government agencies and departments, business community and other interested parties.