Planning amnesty 'a transparent attempt to legalise the illegal' - FAA

Flimkien g"al Ambjent Ahjar condemns the planning amnesty rolled out by the Planning Authority in what it said was a transparent attempt to legalise the illegal and serve as a further payback to the construction lobby.
"The dismantling of existing planning and urban controls and the absolute lack of enforcement will lead to further planning chaos, urban congestion and poor standards of living, as malpractice and abuse within the construction industry keeps being rewarded."
The new scheme, valid for two years, allows buildings (or parts of buildings) not covered by a permit to be regularised as long as they are within development zones and do not constitute "an injury to amenity", such as disturbing neighbours or the environment.
The use of the building also has to be in line with the policy for the area and the development must be visible in aerial photos taken by the PA earlier this year.
Previous legislation, the FAA said, had already allowed owners to attain a form of concession for their illegalities on condition that they fit within clearly defined minor irregularities, since anything in excess was considered unsanitary or uninhabitable.
The new amnesty, it said, made no...

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