Busuttil’s parliamentary vote on ODZ ‘national projects’ too vague, says developers’ lobby

The Malta Developers’ Association has urged the Nationalist Party to clarify a recent proposal that would see ODZ applications require a two-thirds majority approval in Parliament.

The Malta Developers Association reacted to the proposal by demanding that no more ODZ land should be approved for development “in particular for residences and commercial purposes”.

It is quite unlikely for the MDA to insist on holding tight to the reins of unbridled construction, but the lobby claims Simon Busuttil’s proposal is too vague. The MDA said that a clear difference must be made between ODZ land that is pristine and intact and other ODZ land that has already been legally developed.

“When the development boundaries were drawn up, some injustices were committed relating to small parcels of land,” the MDA said in a statement. “This can easily be resolved because it is so obvious that in some cases the current boundary makes so sense.”

The association also warned that it would be impractical for every single proposed ODZ project – such as permits to build a greenhouse or to extend a quarry - to require a two-thirds majority vote.

“While we understand the motivations behind the proposal, we feel that it is currently too vague,” the MDA said. “We suggest that a study be conducted of the PN proposal following wide consultation with all those who are interested.”

The PN’s proposal – announced by Opposition leader Simon Busuttil earlier this week – has been welcomed by leading environmental NGOs Din l-Art Helwa and Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar. However, it was summarily dismissed by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, who argued that the PN wanted to “put decisions related to ODZ in the hands of politicians”.