Development Planning Act.

The Development Planning Act sets out the legislative framework governing sustainable land use planning and management of development in Malta. Further it sets out the institutional framework that shall be in charge of related matters. The text of the Act is composed of ten Parts, as follows: I) Preliminary ; II) Duty to Promote a Comprehensive Sustainable, Land Use Planning System; III) Establishment and Scope of the Authority; IV) Common provisions; V) Provisions related to the Executive Council; Establishment and Scope of the Executive Council; Plans and Policies; Spatial Strategy for Environment and Development; Subsidiary Plans and Policies; Orders; The Development Planning Fund; VI) Policy Advisory Committees ; The Standing Committee on the Environment and Development Planning ; The Users’ Committee; The Building Regulation Committee ; VII) Provisions related to the Planning Board The Planning Board; Requirement of Permission; Revocation or Modification of Permission ; Charges and Contributions; VIII) Power to make Regulations General; Planning and Development Regulations; Registration of Contractors; Building Regulations; Miscellaneous Provisions in relation to Building Regulations ; Building Control Regulations; Amendment of the Code of Police Laws; IX) Monitoring and Enforcement; X) Offences.
Article 3 sets forth the duty of the Governement to promote a comprehensive sustainable land use planning system. In particular, it shall be the duty of the Government to enhance the quality of life for the benefit of the present and future generations, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, through a comprehensive sustainable land use planning system, and to that effect: (a) to preserve, use and develop land and sea for this and future generations, whilst having full regard to environmental, social and economic needs; (b) to ensure that national planning policies are unambiguous, accessible and clear to the general public; (c) to deliver regular plans in accordance with the needs and exigencies from time to time; (d) to identify regional planning shortcomings and address any problems found in relation thereto; (e) to apply scientific and technical knowledge, resources and innovation for the effective promotion of development planning; and (f) to consider public values, costs, benefits, risks and uncertainties involved when taking any decisions.
Part III sets up and defines the functions of the Planning Authority, which shall consist of the Executive Council and the Planning Board. The Authority shall perform the functions which were previously assigned to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority under the provisions of the Environment and Development Planning Act (and are now contained in this Act) and shall perform and succeed in the assets, rights, liabilities and obligations of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.