A proposal by the GRTU’s property developers’ section calling on Mepa to introduce a fee for placing objections to development applications, is meant to give developers more power, while taking away citizens’ right to object.

In a statement, Graffitti Movement noted that the proposal by the General Retailers’ and Traders’ Union undermines the concept of proper consultation on environmental issues.

“"The developers know that environmental NGOs have a good quality of expertise in that field, and it is their financial resources that are poor, and hence can be undermined. So the GRTU is proposing the introduction of these charges in order to leave the environmentalists lagging behind due to the financial resources factor" said Christopher Cutajar, a spokesperson for Graffitti.

“The right to object is part of the democratic decision making process. The introduction of a fee goes against that right”.