PN agrees with planning reform ‘in principle’

he Nationalist Party today said that it agreed "in principle" with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) proposals in its draft floor area ratio policy, which is currently undergoing public consultation.

Last year, MEPA issued a public consultation with the aim of revising an existing policy allowing the application of the controversial Floor Area Ration mechanism

Among others, the draft policy designates a number of localities where building height can rise to more than double what is laid down in local plans, as long as only half of the sites are used. Moreover, it enables developers to opt for higher buildings if this results in more open space facilities for residents. 

Opposition MP Ryan Callus said the PN would put forward its own proposals, and expressed agreement over the proposal to allow higher buildings which would lead to maintaining opens spaces in at least half the sites

"The PN believes that these open spaces must be accessible to the public and offer recreational facilities apart from commercial spaces."

Callus added that MEPA's proposals are "not clear" and said the authority should clarify whether open spaces will be allocated adjacent to high-rise buildings.

The PN said high-rise buildings should be in clusters and the delineation of the localities where high-rise buildings can be built should be specified. Such areas should be in zones which already have high buildings.

The opposition MP also agreed with the proposal to ban the construction of high-rise buildings in Gozo.