24 sites proposed to be declared as 'public domain'

Following the unanimous approval by Parliament, in May 2016, of the 'Public Domain' law, the Planning Authority is issuing for public consultation a list of 24 sites which have been nominated to be declared as 'Public Domain'. This will ensure that the public will be given the right to enjoy these sites, saving third party rights.  

More than half of the sites have been nominated by eNGO Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) and include Manoel Island, Wied Garnaw, Villa Gwardamangia and Comino among others. Friends of the Earth (Malta) nominated another set which included il-Ballut tal-Wardija and Fomm ir-Rih while Minister for the Environment Jose Herrera nominated the area covered by the Nwadar National Park.  Some of the sites either overlap or are duplicate since they were proposed by different parties.

The concept of public domain was introduced and included as part of the Civil Code. Territory and property within the Maltese Islands maybe declared by Parliament as public domain.  The Planning Authority is obliged to consult the public on the proposed public domain sites.  These are to be included and forwarded in an Annual Report with recommendations to the Minister responsible for Lands. The Annual Report will then be considered by Parliament. Sites and property can only be proposed by  the Minister responsible for Lands, Members of Parliament or NGOs.

The full list and set of maps outlining the site boundaries as proposed may be viewed through the Planning Authority's  website http://ift.tt/2lKoUTs. The maps contain existing information on property rights as obtained from the respective entities. This information is not exhaustive. Through this public consultation exercise the public is being invited to indicate which of these proposed sites merit this kind of designation.

Land owners with private rights and titles on land within the indicated boundaries are encouraged to come forward with official documentation to ensure that the status of each site is correctly recorded.

Proposals for new sites will not be considered through this public consultation exercise.

Submissions and comments may be sent directly from the dedicated Geoserver http://ift.tt/2uC6OaT, through email address publicdomain@pa.org.mt or postal address: Public Domain 2017, Planning Authority, St. Francis Ravelin, Floriana FRN1230. The closing date is Friday 11^th August 2017.

from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2tDIWqb
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