James Debono The Prime Minister’s decision to take direct responsibility for the Malta Environment and Planning Authority is considered a step forward by only 46% of the Maltese, a survey commissioned by MEPA itself has concluded.
And while only 16% think that things will deteriorate under the Prime Minister’s stewardship, most of the remainder (37%) think that this will not change anything.
MEPA’s public awareness survey was conducted among 500 respondents, and the results tabled in Parliament before the Christmas recess.
The survey also shows that 62% of respondents think that MEPA’s decisions are influenced by the government of the day, with only 18% thinking that this is not the case. And where 44.4% think that MEPA is “corrupt in its decisions”, slightly less (41.6%) expressed faith that MEPA is not corrupt.
The same survey also showed that 63% think that the applicant’s choice of architect influences MEPA in its decisions.
But despite evident scepticism of MEPA’s operations, only 11% think that Malta would be better off without the planning authority, while 83.6% think the country would be worse off. Furthermore, 58% think that MEPA is succeeding in preventing or stopping illegal development.
The survey also reveals that 51% of respondents who have presented a planning application think that the length of time taken by MEPA to issue permits is unreasonable.
Of those who used MEPA’s complaint’s office, 66% were not satisfied by the service they received.
Only 10% of respondents claimed to be owners of land in a green area. But 67% of those who own properties where development is not allowed, replied that they would like to develop their land.
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