A coalition of Malta’s leading environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has strongly criticised the government’s recent decision to re-appoint Elizabeth Ellul as Chairperson of a Planning Commission, raising serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and potential conflicts of interest.
Ellul will now head a Commission responsible for reviewing and approving development applications across Malta and Gozo’s urban conservation areas and development zones – regions of critical cultural and environmental value.
Her re-appointment has sparked backlash due to a previous controversy in 2020, when Ellul was removed from a similar post after supporting the transformation of a derelict countryside room in Qala into a villa. The development applicant was reportedly a client of her husband’s architectural firm, a connection she failed to disclose at the time, prompting widespread criticism and raising red flags over ethical standards and impartiality in decision-making processes.
In a joint statement, the coalition emphasised that Malta needs a Planning Authority that adheres to its own mission statement – prioritising public interest, acting transparently, and being held accountable for its decisions. They warned against turning the Authority into a “rubber-stamping” institution that merely facilitates permits for developers at the expense of the public good and heritage protection.
“The re-appointments of Johann Buttigieg as CEO of the Planning Authority and now of Ellul only reinforce the growing perception that development interests are being prioritised over the environment, cultural heritage, and good governance,” the NGOs said.
The coalition includes Din l-Art Ħelwa, Friends of the Earth Malta, Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, Wirt Għawdex, Għawdix, Azzjoni: Tuna Artna Lura, and Moviment Graffitti. Together, they are urging the government to ensure that appointments to such critical roles are based on integrity, independence, and commitment to preserving Malta’s unique urban and rural character.
The NGOs are calling for an urgent review of the appointment, along with the introduction of stronger safeguards to ensure transparency and prevent conflicts of interest in planning decisions that affect the nation’s environmental and cultural future.
Cover Photo: The Times of Malta
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