Matthew Dalli

PLANNING AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT The Planning Authority (PA) needed an Annual Report to showcase the new policies that they implemented and their impact on the Maltese islands. This annual report was shared with all stakeholders during the Annual General Meeting. I had to cater and consider the following aspects for this project: • Highlighting particular statistics of the new policies and their impact • Create visual graphs to assist the readers using the brand colours • Represent Malta’s unique architecture and buildings through imagery -15- -16- The office received 1,322 DNO EU Funding NGOs & Churches requests and processed 97% within the legislative time frames Government & Ministries Private Enforcement Notices A total of 192 enforcement notices were issued on sites located in Development Zones while 123 were issued on sites with the Outside Development Zone. During the year, 279 contraveners complied with the enforcement notices issued against them by removing the illegality themselves. Another 749 enforcement notices were closed off due to sanctioning of works. Compliance Certificates Business Development Unit (BDU) In 2017 a record number of submissions were received, reaching a total of 9250. By the year end only 78 requests were still pending. In a constant effort to reduce the use of paper by the Authority, this Directorate contributed by going paperless when receiving and issuing compliance certificates. Despite the increase in caseload, the vast majority of planning applications assess by this unit were concluded on time. During the year 2017, the BDU strived to deliver a better service by providing a focal point within the Planning Authority for business customers involved in all classes of commercial and non-residential development. The number of applications assessed by this Unit increased, in excess of 2000. The unit also faced more complications due to the relaxations of Schedule 1 criteria. With the experience gained in the past four years since the inception of this unit, as well as the commitment and focus of the dedicated officers working within the unit, BDU continued to deliver the same high level of service expected to all its customers. Regularisation Applications This new form of permit which is only applicable to irregularities situated in development zones, generated an income of over 9.5 million euro. The Directorate was put to task to process 5140 applications related to this initiative. The majority of the money collected from this scheme, up to 70%, are utilised in the restoration of properties that are scheduled or in Urban Conservation Areas, through the ‘Irrestawra Darek’ grant scheme. 20% is allocated towards the Development Planning Fund, for use by the Local Councils when undertaking community projects within their locality. Major Projects Unit The processing of planning applications which are considered to be major projects is not only limited to the assessment of the development proposal but, in many cases involves extensive discussions with all stakeholders involved. This process starts well ahead of the actual submission of a development application and continues throughout the planning process. 200 11 ODZ Development Zones 150 During the year, the unit assessed different types of proposals which were challenging, with the purpose of maintaining high quality sustainable development within the established Planning Policies and legal time frames. A variety of proposals consisted of large scale retail establishments, industrial development, reclamation of quarries, community facilities, quarries, high rise/landmark buildings for commercial use and tourism accommodation. Proposals included the refurbishment and extension of Riviera Hotel, the redevelopment of the ex-Imperial Hotel into a home for the elderly, the extension of the Westin Dragonara Resort and the Farsons complex. 100 50 0 13 19 -17- 192 123 -18-