Environmental NGOs have dismissed Minister Clint Camilleri’s announcement that some of the most controversial elements of the proposed amendments to the Development Planning Act will be toned down, insisting that the entire reform remains fundamentally flawed.
In a joint statement, the ENGOs – including Ramblers’ Association, Din l-Art Ħelwa, BirdLife Malta, Moviment Graffitti, Nature Trust Malta, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Wirt Għawdex, and Għawdix – argued that every provision within the amendments weakens existing environmental protections without introducing new safeguards. They warned that the reform would replace a rules-based planning framework with a case-by-case system open to “vested or clientelistic interests.”
The organisations also criticised the government for drafting the legislation without consultation or impact studies, noting that the Minister himself admitted some provisions risked producing “unpredicted consequences.” They stressed that even if the most controversial aspects are softened, the remaining clauses still represent a “net harm” to Malta’s environment.
Concerns highlighted include the ability of the Planning Authority to arbitrarily rezone areas and increase building heights – including the potential conversion of ODZ land into development zones – as well as the erosion of Local Plans in favour of lower-level policies. They also warned that environmental and sanitary considerations could be sidelined in planning decisions, while new “vested rights” would tie the hands of future governments seeking stronger protections.
The ENGOs reiterated their call for the withdrawal of the bills in their entirety, urging the government to “start from scratch” through a transparent process based on evidence, consultation, and genuine environmental priorities. Failing this, they pledged to use “every democratic means” available to stop what they described as a reform designed to enrich developers at the public’s expense.
Their stance echoes growing national concern over the controversial reforms. Last month, Momentum filed a Freedom of Information (FOI) request seeking full disclosure of the drafting process for Bills 143 and 144, which would reshape Malta’s land-use and development framework. The request demands details of meetings between government officials and the development sector, the identity of external consultants, and the public funds spent on their services.
Momentum spokesperson Arnold Cassola argued that transparency is vital to restore trust in the planning system. “These bills are not just technical adjustments – they are the blueprint for Malta’s concrete future. Were they written in the public interest, or behind closed doors to serve private profits?” he said.
With parliamentary debate postponed until after the summer recess, both NGOs and Momentum maintain that the fight over Malta’s planning laws is far from over – and that the outcome will shape the country’s urban and environmental landscape for decades.
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