NGOs are currently up in arms after the government published a proposed subsidiary legislation that aims to legalise and regularise all the illegal structures built before 2016. You can find the full text here. The proposed reform is part of a wider reform package proposed by the government on construction and planning which will give more power to the Planning Authority to disregard current environmental planning regulations. NGOs have described the proposed reform as the most corrupt planning reform in history.
The subsidiary legislation may legalise many illegal structures built decades ago across numerous public sites including Armier and Saint Thomas ay in Marsascala. Last Sunday, the Prime Minister also said that it would be unfair on the owners to demolish these structures given that many of the owners of these structures are pensioners.
The Labour government will, in effect, be rewarding years of illegality as it entrenches its violations and shows complete disregard for the Outside Development Zones.
The laws have not been made into effect and are still in the consultation phase.
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