New legislation to bring about an extensive reform of MEPA was has been launched by the Prime Minister and includes over 100 clauses spread between a Development Planning Act and an Environment Planning Act.

The new legislation will decrease the number of public officials from 5 to 3 and will be composed of 8 independent members (including the chairman), and 2 MPs, as well as the chairmen of the 2 development commissions. It will be run by a chief executive officer.

The authority will also have 4 Directorates:

• Directorate for Environment Protection
• Directorate for Planning Development
• Directorate for Corporate Services
• Directorate of Enforcement (which will be legally binding)

The revised regulations will have 8 parts, one of which will tackle new policies and the other for enforcement with fines for major infringements to go up to €50,000 (from €2,330) and daily fines of €50.

The MEPA audit-officer will no longer form part of MEPA but fall under the aegis of the Office of the Ombudsman.

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