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PR 16/25 | Union of Mediterranean Architects’ General Assembly held in Malta approves KTP motion calling for culturally sensitive and humane reconstruction of Gaza

Over the past two days, the Kamra tal-Periti hosted delegates from Mediterranean architectural associations for a conference on Cultural Resilience and the Union of Mediterranean Architects’ General Assembly. 

On Friday, the UMAR General Assembly adopted the declaration moved by the KTP calling for a culturally, socially, and humanely sensitive reconstruction of Gaza, denouncing any attempts to undertake speculative development unrelated to the endemic population’s needs. 

The motion, presented by KTP President Perit André Pizzuto, calls on the international community to set up an independent international assessment, with the participation of UNHABITAT, UNESCO, and UIA, of the destruction inflicted on Gaza’s built environment, heritage, and civilian infrastructure. 

The motion also calls on “all architects, planners, and built-environment professionals worldwide to uphold their ethical obligation to refrain from participating in projects that contribute to forced displacement, settlement expansion, speculative development unrelated to the endemic population’s needs, or violations of international humanitarian law.” 

On Thursday, KTP organised a conference which investigated the impact of climate change, tourism, and armed conflicts on cultural heritage within the Mediterranean region. European Commissioner for Culture Glenn Micallef and other distinguished international and local speakers delivered inspiring presentations which are expected to form the basis for future international collaboration on regional cultural projects over the months ahead. 

 

In the pictures, scenes from Gaza and its port, courtesy of Mr Mahmoud Alamour; Palestinian Architect and UMAR Council Member.

 

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PR 15/25 | Court confirms legality of KTP disciplinary procedures

In a landmark ruling delivered this morning, the First Hall of the Civil Court (Constitutional Jurisdiction), presided over by Justice Henri Mizzi, confirmed that the laws and regulations governing the Kamra tal-Periti’s disciplinary procedures, when taken as a whole, do not infringe the right to a fair hearing.

The judgment followed a request for a constitutional reference filed earlier this year by periti Roderick Camilleri and Anthony Mangion as part of their appeal against the KTP Council’s decision to suspend their warrant due to professional shortcomings related to the tragedy that led to Miriam Pace’s death in 2020.

The appeal centred on  several constitutional matters, including an alleged lack of impartiality arising from the Council’s dual role in conducting preliminary investigations and making disciplinary determinations. The Court found that while this arrangement, taken in isolation, could appear to breach Article 39 of the Constitution and Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the disciplinary process as a whole – particularly the unrestricted right of appeal to the Court of Appeal – provides full safeguards to periti and satisfies the requirements of a fair hearing.

The Kamra tal-Periti welcomes this judgment and looks forward to further strengthening its disciplinary and regulatory functions in the months ahead, supported by the resources allocated in the recent budget and through partnerships with various public and private entities.

The Kamra underscores the importance of effective and well-resourced professional bodies tasked with self-regulation which is free from political interference is essential to safeguard the public interest and the standing of the profession.

The Kamra was represented in these proceedings by Dr Joseph Mizzi and Dr Ylenia Busuttil of Muscat Mizzi Advocates. This decision is still subject to appeal.

 

 

 

Read also: PR 04/25

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PR 14/25 | Kamra tal-Periti calls for preservation of modernist military heritage at White Rocks

 

The Kamra tal-Periti welcomes the Government’s recent announcement to designate the White Rocks site as a National Park, a landmark decision that will safeguard this coastal area from future development. This initiative represents a significant step toward environmental stewardship and sustainable land use.

In this regard, the Kamra strongly urges that this vision be extended to include the protection and restoration of the historic White Rocks Barracks, originally known as the Officers’ Married Quarters. Constructed in the 1960s under the War Office Works Directorate. These buildings are a rare example of modernist military and residential architecture in Malta. Designed by leading Maltese and British architects, the complex was celebrated internationally, featuring twice in international magazine The Architectural Review (1965 and 1969) for its “simple dignity” and harmonious integration with the landscape.

The ‘tower-in-park’ design adopted at the White Rocks is a modernist concept, championed by Le Corbusier. Across the European continent, in cities like Berlin, Amsterdam, London, modernist housing estates embraced this concept which placed multi-unit blocks within landscaped areas. This urban design principle of the last century is a direct product of the experimentation and advances of the architecture and technological industries at the time, and it should be protected both as built heritage, as well as cultural landscape

The Kamra tal-Periti supports the Government’s designation of White Rocks as a National Park but insists that the conservation of this complex cannot be a success if either the built or the natural fabric is excluded. Therefore, the Kamra advocates for a wholistic approach towards the area, inclusive of full protection and restoration of the original 1960s barracks. White Rocks is an opportunity for a unique cultural landscape on the islands, and the Kamra trusts that adaptive reuse strategies, serving a cultural and educational purposes, are employed.

The Kamra recommends that:

  • The White Rocks complex is afforded statutory protection under both the Development Planning Act and the Cultural Heritage Act, and
  • That the regeneration project of the area is undertaken through an architectural design competition.

 

 

 

A Brief Historical Timeline

1960s – Built as Officers’ Married Quarters for British military personnel, showcasing modernist design principles.

1979 – British forces withdraw; site handed over to Maltese authorities.

1980s–1995 – Converted into a holiday complex serving language students.

1995 onwards – Site abandoned; multiple redevelopment proposals fail.

2025 – Government announces designation as a National Park.

 

Images from wikimedia.org

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PR 13/25 | European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Awards 2026 (EUmies Awards)

Following a formal request for nominations from The European Commission and Fundació Mies van der Rohe earlier this year, 410 nominees for the prestigious EUmies award, 2026 were announced last week. Six of the nominees are Maltese projects;

  • Malta International Airport VIP Terminal (Luqa), by Valentino Architects (Hospitality Design Award winner, Premju Galizia 2025)
  • BOTHOUSE (San Ġwann), by SON Architecture (Design Excellence Award winner, Premju Galizia 2024)
  • Casa Ursula (Valletta), by Open Work Studio (Interior Architecture Award winner, Premju Galizia 2024)
  • Twentyfour (Rabat), by 3dmarchitecture (Interior Architecture Special Commendation, Premju Galizia 2024)
  • Casa Gourgion (Mdina), by MODEL CVC architecture (Heritage Preservation Award winner, Premju Galizia 2024)
  • Dar Tereża (Bormla), by Local Office for Architecture (Community Impact Award winner, Premju Galizia 2024)

 

 

Initiated in 1988, the Prize is awarded by the European Commission and Fundació Mies van der Rohe. It recognises excellence, innovation, and sustainability in architecture, and highlights the transformative power of design in shaping Europe’s environment and society. All the works participating in the EUmies Awards Architecture & Emerging are nominated by European independent experts, the national architecture associations and the Prize Advisory Committee. The Kamra tal-Periti, as the national association, was asked to recommend 5 projects for this award. The Kamra’s recommendations were selected from the winners of the Premju Emanuele Luigi Galizia 2024. In addition, a sixth project was nominated by the independent experts

 

This 19th cycle of the Prize, with the support of the European Union’s Creative Europe Programme, brings together 410 works from 40 countries and 143 regions, reflecting the diversity, creativity, and richness of Europe’s architectural landscape. Submitted by a broad network of national architectural associations, independent experts, and the Advisory Committee, the nominations showcase the most significant built works completed between May 2023 and April 2025.

 

From this list, the jury will identify a shortlist of 40 outstanding projects which will be announced in January 2026, narrowing it down to seven finalists the following month. In spring 2026, jury members will visit the sites of the finalists, engaging directly with architects, clients, users, and local communities. The winners in the Architecture and Emerging Architecture categories will then be unveiled in Oulu—one of the two 2026 European Capitals of Culture—in April 2026, celebrating projects that define the future of European architecture.

 

 

The announcement of last week also revealed the jury panel for this cycle, which features Maltese architect Chris Briffa, Founder of Chris Briffa Architects, along Carl Bäckstrand (Sweden), Zaiga Gaile (Latvia), Tina Gregorič (Slovenia), Nikolaus Hirsch (Germany/Belgium), Rosa Rull (Spain) and chaired by Smiljan Radić.

 

 

The Kamra wishes the best of luck to all six local nominees in this competition.

 

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PR 12/25 | Prioritise Good Architectural Outcomes Rather Than Good Legal Outcomes, KTP President during Premju Galizia

During Saturday’s National Awards for the Built Environment, Premju Emanuele Luigi Galizia 2025, the President of the Kamra tal-Periti called for a prioritisation of design quality and for respect towards the role of Periti in shaping the built environment.

These remarks came at the end of the largest-scale Premju Galizia organised by the Kamra tal-Periti so far, which spanned over six days, culminating in the awards ceremony on Saturday night, with over forty nominations considered, in eight different categories. For the event, both the Executive Chairperson of the Planning Authority, Mr Johann Buttigieg and the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage, Mr Kurt Farrugia were in attendance. The Planning Authority was the national partner of this event, whilst the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and JMV Vibro Steel Limited also supported the event as platinum partners.

Perit André Pizzuto spoke about this year’s theme for the awards: Legacy. This was introduced earlier by the Artistic Director for Premju Galizia, Perit Joeaby Vassallo (I+A), who asked the question, “What would Galizia do?” as this year’s point of reflection — a question that set a compass which guided the international jury in measuring how the submissions align with Galizia’s values and his enduring standard of quality. Pizzuto emphasised that legacy is both what we inherit and what we leave behind. It reflects how decisions today shape the future of Malta.

In the lead up to the President’s Award, a yearly recognition of the best submission or nomination during the night, KTP’s President underlined the challenges in the planning approval process, often undermining design integrity, leading to compromises and diminished architectural quality. This, Perit Pizzuto said, is exacerbated by clients prioritising permits over good architecture, calling for a reform in the system to prioritise design quality and foster respect towards the professions.

In light of the ongoing debate on the proposed planning reforms, Perit Pizzuto highlighted the importance of trust and dialogue, whilst expressing disappointment at the current public debate, overly focused on legal outcomes rather than achieving good architectural outcomes for the community. The KTP president mentioned the ongoing work to develop a National Architecture Policy, to which he happily acknowledged Mr Buttigieg’s earlier intervention, in which it was confirmed that Planning Authority will be moving on with this policy, in collaboration with the Kamra tal-Periti. The speech concluded with a call to ensure Malta’s future reflects thoughtful, courageous, and purposeful design, serving the greater good, as well as acknowledgement to the jury, sponsors and contributors of the event.

After the categorial awards, the KTP further recognised Ms Simone Mizzi, Perit Vincent Cassar and Valentino Architects with the Galizia Leadership Award, Lifetime Achievement Award and President’s Award, respectively. Vice President of the Kamra tal-Periti, Perit Matias Camilleri de Marco outlined how through decades of tireless service, Ms Simone Mizzi never led from a distance, and her influence extended beyond the Maltese shores. Citing personal inspiration from Malta’s archaeology and historic fabric, Perit Camilleri de Marco awarded the Galizia Leadership Award, stating that Mizzi’s work remind us that leadership in architecture and heritage is, at its heart, about stewardship.

Perit Nicholas Mallia, Honorary Secretary of the Kamra followed by highlighting decades of devotion to shaping Malta’s physical and environmental landscape of Perit Vincent Cassar. Perit Mallia presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Perit Cassar, describing him as a true gentleman, pragmatic and level-headed, never to be swayed by noise and always focused on what is fair, reasonable, and right for the profession and for Malta.

Finally, the President Award 2025 was awarded to Valentino Architects, in what Perit André Pizzuto said was a clear recommendation by the international jury, diverting from previous years where the award recognised the ‘winner of winners’ amongst all awarded designs. The jury’s recommendation was based on the high quality of the several entries in different categories by this firm which spoke to their remarkable consistency and high design ethic.

 

 

Winners of Premju Emanuele Luigi Galizia 2025

PREMJU GALIZIA WINNERS

Adaptive Renovation Award

Teatru Salesjan

Single Dwelling Design Award

Dar iċ-Ċitru

Workplace Design Award

Architect’s Workshop

Hospitality Design Award

VIP Terminal

Engineering Innovation Award

Sustainable Living Complex

Emerging Practice Award

EBEJER BONNICI

Unbuilt Projects Award

Forgotten Stories

Galizia Leadership Award

Ms Simone Mizzi

Lifetime Achievement Award

Perit Vincent Cassar

President’s Award

Valentino Architects

PREMJU GALIZIA PARTNERS

National Partner

Planning Authority

Platinum Partners

Superintendence and JMV Vibro Steel Limited

Silver Partners

Vivendo Projects, ICI Limited, and Vassallo Builders

Media Partner

Design Dispatch

Venue Partners

Villa Bighi and Social Care Standards Authority

Special Thanks

Heritage Malta and SHARE Architects

 

www.premjugalizia.org

 

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PR 11/25 | KTP marks World Architecture Day 2025: Reiterates call for National Architecture Policy

Verżjoni bil-Malti

The Kamra tal-Periti (KTP) joins architects worldwide in celebrating World Architecture Day 2025, established by the International Union of Architects (UIA). This year’s theme, “Design for Strength”, calls on architects to embrace approaches that enable the built environment to withstand, adapt, and regenerate while promoting equity, continuity, and resilience.

At a time when Malta’s planning system has once again become the subject of public controversy, this theme resonates profoundly. The recent debates surrounding the government’s proposed planning law reforms have reignited public frustration over overdevelopment, the erosion of environmental quality, and the growing disconnection between planning policy and public wellbeing.

Yet, amid the polarisation between developers and environmental activists, architecture – the very discipline that shapes the spaces we live in – has been completely sidelined.

For decades, Malta has been burdened with a planning system designed to legalise architecture rather than enable it. A system that seeks to codify design into rules and formulas, believing that good architecture can be legislated into existence. It cannot.

While legal certainty is essential for regulating processes, it is anathema to the creative and contextual nature of architecture. Laws may provide clarity for lawyers defending or contesting permits, but they do little to support architects striving to create spaces that uplift communities, respect context, and enhance the environment. The evidence of this failure is visible in every corner of our towns and landscapes.

KTP notes with dismay the mockery expressed in public debate toward proposals aimed at elevating spatial, architectural, and contextual considerations in planning decisions. These are not subjective whims; they are the very foundation of high-quality, resilient, and meaningful built environments.

To “Design for Strength” in Malta, we must first design for integrity – of our profession, our institutions, and our public spaces. True resilience in the built environment requires a vision that transcends short-term interests and procedural certainty. It requires a commitment to architecture as a cultural, social, and environmental act.

For this reason, on this World Architecture Day, the Kamra tal-Periti reiterates its long-standing call for Government to partner with it for the development of a National Architecture Policy for Malta – one of only two European countries that still lacks such a framework. This policy would establish a national vision for architecture, urban design, and placemaking rooted in quality, sustainability, and cultural identity.

 

A City of a Thousand Gardens by Openworks Studio – Winner of the President’s Award for Best Overall Project at the 2024 edition of Premju Emanuele Luigi Galizia

 

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CIR 06/25 | Sanitary Regulation tolerances in Minor Amendment Applications

1. Purpose

This Circular serves to notify members of an important procedural update communicated to the Council of the Kamra tal-Periti by the Executive Chairperson of the Planning Authority. This update forms part of broader discussions on regulatory efficiency and the streamlining of policies and regulations currently being held between the Kamra tal-Periti (KTP) and the Planning Authority (PA), as well as between the National Building Council (NBC) and the PA.

 

This Circular is to be read alongside Directive DIR 05/25 on the reporting of measurements in compliance checks.

 

2. Procedural Update on Tolerances in Sanitary Regulations

The Planning Authority has adopted a new internal procedure concerning the application of the Development Planning (Health and Sanitary) Regulations (S.L. 552.22).

  • Under regulation 4, the Planning Authority may, at its discretion, permit dimensions that are lower than those stipulated, provided that compensatory measures are in place which achieve an equivalent sanitary outcome.
  • Examples of compensatory measures include the provision of a larger external aperture in lieu of a smaller aperture originally specified.
  • This internal procedure applies only in the processing of minor amendment applications – that is, applications filed by periti to amend a planning permit so as to reflect the as-built situation.
  • As part of this procedure:
    • Discrepancies of up to 2cm may be processed directly by planning officers.
    • Discrepancies greater than 2cm will be escalated and decided upon at Director grade or higher.

 

3. Important Clarifications

Periti are reminded of two key points:

  1. This tolerance procedure applies exclusively to the sanitary regulations contained within S.L. 552.22, and only within the specific context of minor amendment applications. It does not extend to other planning regulations, policies, or application types.
  2. Proposed drawings submitted with planning applications must continue to conform fully with the prescribed regulations. The discretion allowed under this internal procedure relates solely to the assessment of as-built minor amendment applications and does not in any way diminish the requirement for conformity at the original application stage.

 

Conclusion

Members are to take careful note of this update in their professional practice. The Kamra will continue to engage with the Planning Authority and the NBC to ensure that these procedures are applied consistently, transparently, and fairly across all cases, and that further progress is made in streamlining and improving the regulatory process.

 

 

 

Photo source: PRNS
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CIR 04/25 | Commencement of Works, References for Contractors, and Design of Lift Shafts

The Council of the Kamra tal-Periti would like to bring to your attention the following updates.

 

1. Commencement of Works

Following a successful testing period, the BCA has fully transitioned to the digital site management responsibility form, which is accessible through its dedicated portal. We are informed that the initial issue of partnerships not appearing in the drop-down lists has now been conclusively resolved.

A number of partnerships have, however, requested that a dedicated login and delegation system be created for them, similar to what is available on the PA’s planning portal. At present, partners within a partnership are required to create delegations through their personal logins. While this has no bearing on liability – since liability is derived from the form itself, which is published on eApps – the Kamra has opened discussions to explore the possibility of introducing partnership logins as well.

 

2. Reference Letters for Contractors

The Council has been informed that certain officials were rejecting reference declarations submitted by periti in support of contractors’ licence applications, on the grounds that some periti had crossed out skills they had not directly witnessed the contractor executing.

These rejections are contrary to the agreement reached with BCA senior management and the Licensing Committee last year. The matter was immediately raised with the BCA CEO, and we understand that it has now been resolved.

Periti are reminded to continue following the guidance set out in Circular CIR 07/24, and to report any instances of coercion or procedural irregularities in the processing of reference letters to the Council.

 

3. Design of Lift Shafts

The MCCAA, as Malta’s competent authority on lifts, has issued a circular addressed to periti in view of a recurring pattern of poor lift shaft design, which appears to have led to an over-reliance on requests for derogations. The MCCAA reminds periti that derogations are intended only for strictly exceptional circumstances where it is genuinely impossible to meet the standard refuge space requirements.

The Council strongly advises periti to incorporate lift design standards – including lift pits, headroom, noise and vibration insulation, and structural considerations – at the earliest design stages, preferably prior to the submission of a planning application.

The full MCCAA circular addressed to periti can be found below.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo source: PRNS
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PR 10/25 | A Legacy of Excellence – KTP President sends open letter to the profession

Kamra tal-Periti has officially launched the 2025 edition of the Premju Emanuele Luigi Galizia, Malta’s national architecture awards. Entries are now being accepted online at www.premjugalizia.org, with a closing date of 26 September 2025.

To mark this occasion, KTP President André Pizzuto wrote an open letter to the profession highlighting the need for architects and civil engineers to adopt values grounded in rigorous attention to detail, a sense of civic duty, and a holistic view of how buildings sit within wider urban systems, inspired by Emanuele Luigi Galizia after whom the national architecture awards organised by the Kamra are named – one of Malta’s most significant 19th-century architects and civil engineers.

The Premju Galizia recognises excellence in architecture, urban design, engineering and conservation within the built environment across Malta and Gozo. The awards foreground multidisciplinary teamwork, encouraging submissions from full project teams rather than individuals.

Clients, architects, engineers, designers and specialists all share in the recognition. In his letter, Pizzuto outlined the values underpinning this year’s edition: “Good architecture is not only about strong design concepts, but also about effective engineering and meticulous detailing solutions, the urban forms and spatial impacts, the sensitive conservation strategies, skilled execution of works, and the stamina and financial backing of clients”.

Award categories have been strategically chosen to reflect pressing national priorities: adaptive reuse of existing buildings, density and housing, hospitality, open space design, and public projects. The programme is inspired by the legacy of Emanuele Luigi Galizia, whose values, rigour, civic commitment, and systemic thinking, remain urgently relevant today.

Shortlisted projects will be invited to present publicly during awards week in October

2025 at Villa Bighi, Kalkara.

Submissions must include the full list of team members, with their consent. Guidance, eligibility, and submission requirements can be found in detail at www.premjugalizia.org.

 

 

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PR 09/25 | KTP calls for national unity around deep and meaningful planning reforms

For decades the Council of the Kamra tal-Periti has been advocating for the need to reform Malta’s planning regime. The gradual, yet inexorable, decay of our built environment and quality of life over the past four decades has seen inevitably ever-increasing dissatisfaction and anger from the general public about the planning system and the construction industry in general. This, coupled with the several major construction incidents in recent years, makes the need for deep and meaningful reform not only more pressing, but inescapable.

The Kamra has been having several discussions with various Ministers, public entities, and NGOs on the need for reform over recent months. Indeed, it was recently entrusted to embark on a three-year project of completely overhauling Malta’s building and construction regulation framework through an agreement it signed with the Building and Construction Authority.

In the past weeks, it has also been engaged in regular and fruitful discussions with the Planning Authority about the need to collaborate on developing a National Architecture Policy which would analyse and address the strategic issues facing the practice of architecture in Malta. These discussions are at an advanced stage, and it trusted a detailed announcement on this matter will be made in the weeks ahead.

The Council of the Kamra was also concurrently engaged in discussions with the PA through the National Building Council on reforms to the planning appeal process – a reform that was long overdue. The inability to suspend planning permits during the appeal phase was a preposterous situation that needed to be addressed with urgency.

The Kamra’s position has been clear from the start: all permits should be suspended during the appeal phase which, however, should be shortened and made more efficient thereby striking a balance between the opposing interests in this debate. Indeed, the Kamra’s position has consistently been that the appeal timeframes should not exceed three months before the EPRT, and a further three months before the Court of Appeal, to which the standard statutory timelines for filing and responses were to be added.

In recent weeks, Council representatives were presented with draft text related to the EPRT Act to which it gave its feedback. The Council is satisfied that most of its recommendations were included in the final Bill. Nevertheless, a number of provisions found therein were not previously discussed.

A second Bill, however, was also concurrently published with the one governing the planning appeal process. This second Bill, Bill 143, proposes amendments to the Development Planning Act. It must be stated that the Kamra was never presented with this text and was only able to review it over the past three days.

Given the nature of the proposals in both Bills and the impact they may have on people’s lives, the Council felt it was prudent to review them thoroughly and dispassionately. An analysis report about each of the Bills has been drawn up outlining the Council’s detailed technical review, together with its comments and recommendations.

The reports seek to present a balanced, objective, and constructive assessment of what is actually being proposed. The reports include proposals for amendment or outright deletion of some of the articles in the Bills. They also, however, address incorrect misinterpretations of the content of the Bills that are being reported in the media.

Indeed, it is incorrect to state that only objections filed within the 30-day representation window will be considered. The actual text is exceedingly clear that objections can be changed and extended until the two-week deadline to respond to the case officer’s report. Moreover, objectors are given the right to file further submissions if any plans are changed at the request of the Planning Board.

There are, however, aspects of Bill 143 which the Council finds objectionable. This is particularly in relation to the change in planning document hierarchy and the provisions to modify plans.

While the Kamra recognises that Malta’s planning documents are poorly crafted and grossly outdated, piecemeal revisions and the absence of broad public participation in decisions affecting the well-being of this country and its citizens is not the correct approach.

The Council of the Kamra tal-Periti calls, yet again, for the initiation of a formal process for deep and meaningful planning reform, looking at rebuilding the entire planning system from first principles, informed by contemporary and sustainable planning paradigms.

The Kamra tal-Periti is willing to step up and lead the process, as it has already been entrusted to do with other reforms. The Council believes it is in a privileged position to take on this role, given the broad confidence and trust of opposing and varying interests it enjoys.

Finally, the Council welcomes the Prime Minister’s statements that the Government will be considering feedback about the Bills and trusts that the amendments put forward by the Kamra tal-Periti will be considered and adopted.