Momentum Joins National Protest Against Malta's Controversial Planning Reforms

Momentum Backs 'Ġustizzja għal Artna' Protest

The centrist political party Momentum has officially joined a national protest in Malta, demanding the immediate withdrawal of controversial planning reforms. The party, founded in January 2025 and led by Arnold Cassola, describes the proposed legislation as a 'complete surrender' to developers and a threat to the nation's natural and cultural heritage. The protest, operating under the banner 'Ġustizzja għal Artna' (Justice for Our Land), is scheduled to march from Valletta's Law Courts to Castille on an upcoming Saturday at 10 am.

Momentum's leader, Arnold Cassola, stated that the proposed legislation would 'strip citizens of their right to object, appeal, and defend what is left of our natural and cultural heritage'. The party is urging the public to participate in the demonstration, which represents a united front of political parties, environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and residents' groups against the government's planning agenda.

Details of the Contentious Reforms

The national protest specifically targets two draft bills (Bill 143 and Bill 144) and three legal notices that have drawn widespread condemnation. A broad coalition of over 45 environmental and civic groups claims these reforms will 'destroy the last safeguards' protecting Malta's environment. Critics, including Moviment Graffitti's Andre Callus and the Ramblers' Association's Ingram Bondin, have labeled the reforms a 'developers' wish list' disguised as modernization.

Key concerns raised by opponents of the reforms include:

• Granting the Planning Authority (PA) extensive powers to alter local plans, including removing land from Outside Development Zone (ODZ) protection and changing building heights, even in sensitive areas like Urban Conservation Areas (UCAs).
• Stripping courts of their power to directly revoke irregular planning permits, instead allowing them only to confirm or annul tribunal decisions.
• Restricting the grounds for appealing PA decisions to technical legal arguments raised during initial consultation periods, and introducing potential fines of up to €5,000 for appeals deemed 'vexatious'.
• Introducing provisions for a blanket amnesty, allowing owners to pay to regularize illegal developments, including those on ODZ land.
• Granting the PA and the Minister additional powers, such as issuing policies without public consultation and overriding other regulations, as well as reviving expired permits.

Widespread Opposition and Government Response

The proposed planning reforms have faced significant backlash from various sectors of Maltese society. Beyond Momentum, organizations such as the Malta Chamber of Commerce, ADPD – The Green Party, and numerous environmental groups including BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, and Moviment Graffitti have voiced strong opposition. These groups argue that the reforms weaken public participation, increase political interference, and reward illegalities.

Following public outcry, the government initiated a month-long public consultation on the proposed overhaul. While some revisions to Bill 144 have been noted, such as restoring the 30-day appeal limit and dropping provisions that would have allowed works to proceed if appeals were not decided within a specific timeframe, many of the most controversial elements of the bills reportedly remain in place. Activists continue to demand the complete withdrawal of the legislation, advocating for a genuine consultation process to establish comprehensive and sustainable planning reforms for Malta.