PL President Alex Sciberras has issued four proposals for the new planning reform, to ensure communities are respected throughout the entire process.“Every planning decision leaves a mark – on a road, on a garden, on a village or town, on our everyday lives,” Sciberras said.“Malta’s planning system isn’t only about construction; it’s about our quality of life, our heritage, and the kind of country we want to leave behind us.”“In recent days, I have listened to many people – youths, professionals, residents and activists – who spoke passionately and with concern about the proposed planning laws. I understand their concern because trust in the system is as important as the system itself.”These are Sciberras’ four proposals:1. Safeguarding the right to appeal without excessive limitations that scare regular people off participating in the process.This appears to be a response to the government’s proposal that appeals against permits should only be based on a point of law that had already been raised during the initial objection period.2. The authorities must publicly justify any decisions that deviate from existing policies.This appears to be a response to the proposal that gives planning authorities flexibility to deviate from policies based on spatial, architectural, or contextual considerations.3. Enhanced regulation of the proposed rationalisation of illegal properties so as to protect green spaces, avoid speculation, and prioritise social and communitarian needs4. Launch a national planning charter, as part of Malta’s Vision 2050, drafted with the help of the public and experts, to guide future development with clear principles of sustainability, affordability and dignity.“This isn’t about opposing progress and development, but about ensuring that progress must reflect our values,” Sciberras said.“The PL should remain a movement which doesn’t only plan for the short-term but for future generations, and ensures that national progress reaches and works for everyone.”“Let’s build a planning system that we deserve together. Let’s be the pioneers of our country’s future.”•