A coalition of environmental, civil society organisations and pressure groups, is once again demanding urgent reform of Malta’s planning appeals law, branding it “absurd” and “grotesque” for allowing construction to proceed, even be completed, while appeals are still pending.
In a statement they emphasised how more than two years have passed since Prime Minister Robert Abela publicly acknowledged the flawed nature of the law and committed to change it. Three additional months have elapsed since Planning Authority CEO Johann Buttigieg pledged that reforms would be introduced within a three-month timeframe. Yet no changes have materialised.
Under current legislation, the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal (EPRT) can deny requests to halt construction during appeal processes. This legal framework, campaigners argue, is unique to the planning sector and undermines the rule of law by allowing developments to go ahead before judicial review is concluded.
Activists highlight the high-profile cases in Qala and Sannat, where major developments were ruled illegal by courts after they had already been built. Rather than enforcing demolition, the Planning Authority has re-issued “sanctioning” permits for these projects—effectively overriding court decisions.
In what campaigners describe as a further erosion of judicial authority, the PA is now reviewing sanctioning applications (PA/07954/24, PA/01133/25, PA/01155/25) for an apartment complex in Xewkija developed by Gozitan developer “il-Ġiegu”. The original permit for the building was revoked by the Court of Appeal in 2023 due to planning law violations. Despite this, the case officer has recommended approval. Decisions on these applications are scheduled for June 24 and July 1.
Twelve organisations, including BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Friends of the Earth Malta, and Moviment Graffitti, are calling for the immediate implementation of legislative reform. They warn that any new measures must protect justice and the public interest, and not impose overly short timeframes for appeals that risk compromising due process, particularly in large-scale projects requiring Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).
The groups assert that Malta is witnessing the systematic sidelining of its legal institutions in favour of developers, at the expense of public participation, environmental protection, and the democratic planning process.
Organisations backing the call:
- Azzjoni: Tuna Artna Lura
- BirdLife Malta
- Din l-Art Ħelwa
- Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar
- Friends of the Earth Malta
- Għawdix
- Moviment Graffitti
- Nature Trust Malta
- Ramblers Association Malta
- The Archaeological Society Malta
- Wirt Għawdex
They are now urging Prime Minister Abela to honour his commitment and enact reforms without further delay, in defence of justice, the rule of law, and the common good.
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