Planning secretary says MEPA 'regularisation scheme' is not an amnesty

Parliamentary Secretary for Planning Michael Falzon has explicitly denied that MEPA's plans to regularise illegally built and altered properties amounts to an amnesty.

“Irregularities, even those that are 50 years old, that are to the detriment of other people will not be regularised,” he said. “This is no amnesty – we are not forgiving people. Those who have sinned have to pay their dues. Those who choose not to comply will be punished.”

Falzon did not specify which planning infractions would be included in the scheme and which would not. He also declined to give details on what the regularization fines would be set at and their limits.

Falzon was addressing a press conference to mark the launch of a government scheme to sell garages on housing estates.

Between 2,000 and 2,500 such garages will be available and will include those belonging to the lands department. Those belonging to the housing authority are not included. Those built by previous administrations on non-government owned lands are also excluded.

The scheme will be open for one year and prices will depend on the cubic meterage of the property. All garages will be at street level.

“This is not about the government looking for a source of income,” Falzon said. “The scheme will only draw some €3 million. The government is addressing the people’s demands. This scheme will improve the value of the owner’s property, should they sell it with the garage included.”

Applications will open online on Monday 23 February and will last one year. A similar scheme may be introduced next year, possibly with different rates.

Another government scheme is due to open within the next few weeks, whereby government-owned shops in Valletta will be put up for sale.