The Malta Developers Association says unless a solution is found there will be 'major stalling of progress' in the construction industry across the country
Malta’s planning mayhem: What can be done?
After George Vella’s social media foray on the uglification of Żejtun, JAMES DEBONO catches up with different stakeholders to ask them what can be done to save the day amid Malta’s planning mayhem
14 May 2021, 7:26am
by James Debono
“Anyone who suggests quick-fix solutions to resolve the crisis in the industry, particularly in relation to planning and building regulation, has not yet fully grasped the gravity of the situation”
Faced with an apartment block proposed in his own neighbourhood, President George Vella called for a review of planning policies.
His appeal came in the wake of increased frustration at an unstoppable building frenzy which has seen the PA approving more than 42,000 new dwellings since 2017 and unsightly developments springing up in every nook and cranny, breaking up the traditional skylines of towns and villages which had emerged intact during previous building booms.
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The Sunday Times of Malta exclusively reveals that Electrogas director Paul Apap Bologna i
The recent appointment of former Labour MP Deborah Schembri as the new director-general for the Malta Developers Association has raised a few eyebrows.
The ink on (former PN MP) Marthese Portelli’s resignation had barely dried when news of Portelli’s move to a key post at the Chamber of Commerce triggered a lightning-quick change of guard.
The MDA, one of Malta’s most powerful lobbies, can thus boast of engaging the services of two former Members of Parliament, both of them with extensive knowledge of the Planning Authority.
While Portelli had been the PN’s representative on the PA board – voting, among others, against the case officer’s recommendation to refuse a Joseph Portelli hotel in Mellieħa – Schembri spent the last few years offering “legal services” to clients.
Former planning minister Deborah Schembri is new director for developers’ lobby
Former parliamentary secretary responsible for planning Deborah Schembri replaces Marthese Portelli as Malta Developers Association director general
27 April 2021, 1:35pm
by Karl Azzopardi
The former Parliamentary Secretary for Planning Deborah Schembri has been made Malta Developers Association director general.
Schembri, who was elected on the Labour ticket during the 2013 general election, was not re-elected in the 2017 election.
She was in the running to be elected through a casual election for a vacated seat in the 12th district, but was overcome by now Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo.
Schembri, a divorce lawyer, had campaigned for the Yes vote during the 2011 divorce referendum.