MEPA merger

The MEPA a.k.a Malta Environment and Planning Authority was responsible for land use planning and environmental regulations on the island. According to the "Times Of Malta " back in July 2015 the government published 3 bills regarding the split of MEPA. The split was proposed that instead of one MEPA their will be two entities, the PA and the ERA.

The PA stands for Planning Authority as stated by the PA website the entity will :

"-The New Planning Authority secures a balanced and sustainable environment for our community and provide a better quality of life through a sustainable land use planning system.

-The Authority ensures integrity, fairness and transparency across all operations through an Independent appeal and review process.

-The new Authority gives greater emphasis to the quality design of new developments and has even setup a design advisory committee to assist the Planning Directorate when evaluating development projects in Urban Conservation Areas and for Major projects.

-The New Planning Authority is giving a voice to residents by having a local council representative sitting on the new Planning Board, for major development applications."

They also stated that we will have " better planning for today and tomorrow."

The ERA stands for the ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE AUTHORITY. From their website they are stating that :

"Our Mission:

"To safeguard the environment for a sustainable quality of life"

Our Goals:

-To mainstream environmental targets and objectives across Government and society.

-To take the leading role in advising Government on environmental policy-making at the national level, as well as in the context of international environmental negotiations.

-To develop evidence-based policy; backed by a robust data gathering structure.

-To draw up plans, provide a licensing regime and monitor activities having an environmental impact and to integrate environmental considerations within the development control process." 

The separation of MEPA has its good and bad,obviously the government is in favour and says that it is the way forward as when MEPA was running the time was much longer an now with the de merger it takes around 30 days for a permit to go trough.

On the other hand the government said that is divesting itself of all environmental responsibilities. 

Resources :

 Ltd, Allied. "Mepa Split: ‘We’Re All In For A Rough Ride’". Times of Malta. N.p., 2017. Web. 8 Jan. 2017.