MEPA increases price of information

As from last week the cost of downloading a case officer report or a decision notice from The Malta Environment and Planning Authority website has been increased from €1.16 to €2.40.

These documents provide important information to the public on individual permits.

While case officer reports spell out the reasons why a development should be approved or not on the basis of existing policies, decision notices contain the conditions imposed by MEPA when issuing a permit for a development. 

The increase will not affect local councils and environmental NGOs, as MEPA provides these organisations with free credit to facilitate their work but will have an impact on individual citizens who download these documents for their own use.

Ironically, according to a spokesperson for MEPA, the increases are the result of major upgrading works to the Authority's internet facilities which has been undertaken with the long term aim of providing all documentation for free. "These works will eventually result in the possibility that the public can, at no cost, view online planning application documents including plans, case officer reports and consultees replies".

But in the meantime, customers will have to pay an extra price.

"Due to the upgrade and to streamline all online pricing, the downloading of all planning application documentation is being charged at €2.40, an increase of  €1.24".