Cap. 552 Art. 44The Spatial Strategy for Environment and Development and its preparation and review.

(1) The Spatial Strategy for Environment and Development or "Spatial Strategy":

(a) is a strategic document regulating the sustainable management of land and sea resources covering the whole territory and territorial waters of the Maltese Islands;

(b) shall be based on an integrated planning system that ensures the sustainable management of land and sea illustrated by diagrams as necessary;

(d) must ensure that:

(i) plans and policies issued under this Act are spatial, holistic and comprehensive so that all factors in relation to land and sea resources and related environment conservation, are addressed and included and balance demands for development with socio-economic considerations and the need to protect the environment;

(ii) sectoral policies, activities and inputs are integrated and coordinated with each other, combining the inputs of all disciplines and groups;

(iii) all actions are based on a clear understanding of the natural and legitimate objectives and needs of the various land users;

(iv) it follows other national policies and plans.

(2) The Executive Council shall monitor the Spatial Strategy and review it in part as often as may be necessary and in full not before five years. Every such review shall be made in accordance with the goals and objectives as set out by the Cabinet and shall take effect as provided in the following provisions of this Part of this Act.

(3) In order to achieve the objectives set out in this article, the Cabinet shall take the necessary measures intended to coordinate and improve the spatial impacts of other sectoral policies and their relation to the Spatial Strategy.

(4) For the preparation or review of the Spatial Strategy, the Executive Council shall carry out surveys of those matters which affect the character and quality of the environment, its conservation and its development. These may include:

(a) demographic considerations;

(b) the agricultural, industrial, commercial, touristic and other existing and, or projected economic activities of the country including the employment patterns arising therefrom;

(c) leisure and recreation;

(d) social and community services and facilities;

(e) communications, traffic and transport;

(f) public utility services;

(g) the conservation and preservation of natural and man-made resources;

(h) the state of the environment report National Strategy for Government, or which may be deemed necessary by the Executive Council.

(5) In preparing or reviewing the Spatial Strategy, the Executive Council shall have regard to:

(a) the current economic policies affecting development;

(b) the current social policies affecting development;

(c) the current environmental policies affecting development;

(d) the policies of the Government with respect to the matters set out in sub-article (4);

(e) the resources likely to be available for the implementation of the plan;

(f) all possible land and sea-use options.

(6) Prior to the preparation of the draft of the Spatial Strategy, or a review thereof, the Executive Council shall provide adequate opportunities for individuals and organisations to make representations for a period of not less than three weeks.

(7) A review of the Spatial Strategy which is necessitated by the proposed adoption of, or an amendment to a subsidiary plan need not comply with the provisions of sub-articles (4) and (5) if the matters referred to therein and that are relevant to the review have already been carried out in the preparation of the subsidiary plan.