KTP writes to PS Chris Agius about outstanding matters related to the PA

The Kamra tal-Periti has written to Chris Agius, Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Planning, regarding several outstanding issues related to the Planning Authority that are still not satisfactorily addressed. They include:

• Lack of adequate consultation with KTP regarding amendments to the Development Notification Order, despite the Planning Authority’s legal obligation;
• The addition of permit conditions that are completely unrelated to planning, which are placing Periti in an impossible position to certify legality of buildings, and shifting the responsibility of Government enforcement onto Periti;
• The grave concerns surrounding the status of CTB concessions;
• The extensive delays in processing of planning applications caused by the lack of adequate resources granted to the SCH;
• Circular 2/17 which makes it impossible for property buyers to appoint a Perit of their choice;
• The need to correct the discrepancy between Inland Revenue’s UCA tax incentive schemes and the issuance of UCA certificates by the PA;
• The failure of the Users’ Committee, of which the KTP is a member, to meet;
• KTP’s concerns on the functioning and composition of the DAC.