Law Blog

Under the current Article 57 of the Development Planning Act (Cap. 552), the law allows the Executive Council, and in some cases the Environment and Resources Authority, to schedule properties of geological, archaeological, architectural, historical, or ecological importance for protection through a scheduling order. Owners can thereafter request reconsideration within thirty days or appeal to […]

One of the quieter yet potentially far-reaching amendments introduced by Bill No. 143 concerns Article 56 of the Development Planning Act. This provision regulates discontinuance orders—a rarely invoked yet potent planning mechanism enabling the Executive Council to mandate the cessation of a lawful land use or the removal of buildings or works erected under valid […]

Among the legal reforms introduced in Bill No. 143 of 2025 is a proposal to revise the definition and procedure governing ‘minor modifications’ to local plans under Article 54 of the Development Planning Act (Cap. 552). This, however, has sparked debate, particularly regarding whether such changes could enable the Planning Authority’s Executive Council to carry […]

One of the more intellectually intriguing provisions of the Developemnt Planning Act is Article 52 of the Development Planning Act. It lays down a statutory hierarchy of plans and policies with surgical clarity: “In the circumstances where multiple plans and policies apply to the same matter or area and there is a material conflict between […]

Bill 143 introduces a further development in Maltese planning law by formally recognizing planning circulars for the first time. The proposed Article 51A explicitly states: “51A. (1) The Executive Council shall be empowered to issue circulars from time to time in order to provide guidance, instructions or clarification on the interpretation or application of any […]

A recent legislative proposal, Bill 143, now affirms the Planning Authority’s powers to establish alignment schemes (the ‘blue line’) for the first time on sites where no formal alignment previously appeared on the map server – this, without the need for further procedural steps. The Bill specifically states: “In paragraph (f) of sub-article (1) of […]