MEPA to hold consultation meetings with developers’ lobby

The MDA and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority have agreed that a standing committee made up of MEPA and MDA representatives is to start meeting regularly to discuss matters of mutual interest in an effort to decrease unnecessary bureaucracy, improve policies and promote sustainable development.

It was also confirmed that applicants of more than one development permit could make an arrangement with MEPA to have one all-encompassing bank guarantee to cover their obligations on permits.

The MDA delegation expressed its satisfaction that MEPA had agreed to one of the first requests that it had made to MEPA in their very first meeting.

“Mr Walker confirmed that MEPA had held a meeting with a number of commercial banks to see how this system could work in practice. The system will provide the same cover to MEPA while eliminating a lot of bureaucratic procedures in cases where the same applicant is requested to issue a number of bank guarantees in connection with different applications. The system will be applied with particular applicants who request it on a case by case basis,” the MDA said in a statement.

Walker was accompanied by MEPA chief executive Ian Stafrace and the directors of Planning and the Environment and other senior officials.