Engo Activists Demand Planning Reforms from PM
Engo Activists Protest Outside Castille, Urging PM to ‘Turn the Page’ on Planning Flaws
Malta’s sun-baked streets echoed with chants of “No more mistakes!” yesterday as environmental NGOs gathered outside Castille to demand that Prime Minister Robert Abela learn from past planning errors. The demonstration, organised by a coalition of green groups, coincided with the second anniversary of the controversial Planning Authority’s (PA) reform.
Two Years of ‘Mistakes and Inadequacies’
The reform, introduced in 2020, aimed to streamline the planning process and reduce bureaucracy. However, environmentalists argue that it has instead led to a surge in development projects with little regard for the environment. “In the past two years, we’ve seen a litany of mistakes and inadequacies,” said Mark Mifsud, spokesperson for the coalition. “We’ve seen protected areas being zoned for development, and crucial environmental impact assessments being overlooked.”
Protesters Demand ‘A New Chapter in Planning’
Protesters carried placards bearing slogans like “Protect our heritage, not profits!” and “No more concrete jungle!” They called on the PM to ‘turn the page’ on the current planning system, which they claim favours developers over the environment. “We’re not against development,” said Mifsud. “But it must be sustainable, respecting our natural heritage and the needs of future generations.”
The coalition presented a list of demands to the PM, including the reinstatement of the Environment and Resources Authority’s (ERA) role in planning, stricter environmental impact assessments, and a moratorium on development in protected areas. They also called for greater public participation in planning decisions.
Abela, who was not present at the protest, has previously defended the PA reform, insisting it has improved the planning process. However, with local and EU elections looming, the PM may face pressure to address environmental concerns. “We’re not going away,” said Mifsud. “We’ll keep pushing until we see real change.”
