MDA calls for unity and urgency in passing Malta’s long-delayed planning reform

The Malta Developers Association (MDA) has urged both Government and Opposition to “rise above partisan divides” and work together to ensure that Malta’s long-awaited planning and development reform is debated and concluded in Parliament without further delay.

In a statement, the MDA said the current uncertainty and piecemeal adjustments to planning rules have left both the sector and the wider public “in a state of frustration.” It emphasised that clear, modern, and enforceable laws are in the national interest, describing the reform as an opportunity to restore public confidence in the system.

“Malta needs a stable regulatory framework that safeguards the environment, provides predictability for investment, and strengthens accountability in decision making,” the association stated.

The appeal comes as the Government pushes ahead with Bills 143 and 144, which aim to overhaul Malta’s planning laws. Among the more controversial proposals is the re-opening of regularisation schemes for illegal developments, including those in Outside Development Zones (ODZ). While authorities have stressed that this is not an amnesty, the reform would allow a four-year window during which owners of irregular buildings can pay a fine and apply for full planning permission.

The MDA noted that the reform should not be viewed solely through the lens of property developers, pointing out that thousands of private individuals also navigate the planning system each year – from families building their homes to small entrepreneurs improving their premises. It warned that these individuals, like developers, are often left “vulnerable to undue pressure or outright blackmail from individuals acting out of pique or personal commercial interest, exploiting the system’s ambiguities and delays.”

“This unacceptable situation undermines trust and fairness in the planning process and must be addressed through clear, transparent, and enforceable regulation,” the association said.

MDA President Michael Stivala urged lawmakers to act responsibly, stressing that planning reform “must not be used as a political football.” He said: “It is a national reform that touches every citizen – from homeowners to environmentalists of good will, to those whose livelihoods depend on responsible development. Malta deserves a clear and balanced framework that both protects and empowers.”

The association also appealed for “fairness, transparency, and genuine respect for both the built and natural environment” to guide the reform process.

It called on environmentalists “of good will” to collaborate constructively rather than obstruct progress, noting that balanced outcomes can only be achieved through dialogue.

Concluding its statement, the MDA reiterated its readiness to contribute “constructively to the process, providing technical expertise, industry insights, and practical solutions aimed at achieving genuine reform that stands the test of time.”