News | Sunday, 05 July 2009

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ODZ applications shoot up by 39% since 1994

James Debono
Applications for developments outside development zones (ODZ) have shot up from 932 in 1994, to 1,298 in 2008, despite the more restrictive policies introduced with the setting up of the planning authority.
A study by Dr Joe Doublet, a planning specialist, shows that more than 50% of the ODZ applications presented between 1994 and 2007 were approved.
By its own definition, ODZ applications should be theoretically turned down by the planning authority except in cases where this kind of development cannot take place elsewhere.
Doublet’s study, ‘Development Control and the Natural Environment’, shows that while 13.5% of applications in 1994 were ODZ, these increased to 19.8% of all applications in 2007.
And many applications refused at an initial stage were granted after a reconsideration, to the extent that in 2007 almost 90% of reconsidered applications were granted a permit. One reason why more applications are approved following reconsideration is that applicants are allowed to make changes to the plans which were previously refused.
The study says that one of the reasons for the increase is that applicants for development permits have noted that MEPA was granting a considerable number of ODZ permits.
Since 2002, more than a thousand ODZ applications have been presented every year.
Another reason is that ODZ land is cheaper than land within development schemes, and therefore more lucrative in terms of profits. In other cases, there is little space for certain kinds of development within the present building areas.
The highest number of ODZ applications, over 25%, involve works connected to agriculture.
However a considerable number of applications for new dwellings accounted for 10-20% of applications.

jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt

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