Three decades after the Development Planning Act first came into effect under Chapter 356 of the Laws of Malta, it has become known to all and sundry that obtaining planning permission for converting a garage into commercial use is a legal necessity. This, notwithstanding the fact that, in 2016, trade licenses were largely abolished (except for catering establishments). Yet the obligation to adhere to planning regulations persists and, as I foresee, will continue to do so.
Having stated this, certain legal misunderstandings endure, and it is precisely these misconceptions that I endeavor to clarify in my recent planning law publication titled “Change of use ta’ garaxxijiet“.
