MEPA CIRCULAR 03/11

1 MINOR AMENDMENT PROCEDURE

2 SURGERY HOURS
3 SCREENING REQUEST SUBMISSION CHECKLIST
4 PLANNING APPLICATION SUBMISSION CHECKLIST
5 SUBMISSIONS VETTING

INTRODUCTION

This Circular is the second in a series of Circulars, intended to provide up-to-date

information on procedural issues following the MEPA reform.

1 MINOR AMENDMENT PROCEDURE

Attention is being drawn to particular instances when periti receive a screening

letter which indicates that a minor amendment request should be submitted rather
than proceeding with the validation of a full development application in line with
regulation 12 of LN 514 of 2010.

In these cases the minor amendment request has to be submitted and uploaded on
the original valid permit and not on the application which has been screened.

2 SURGERY HOURS

In order to better facilitate, the consultation service given by particular functions

within the Development Management Unit of MEPA, namely Sanitary Engineering
Officer, Minor Amendments, Development Notification Order Offices and the
Vetting Office, whilst at the same time ensuring that the same officers have ample
time to process applications without interruptions, a surgery for these four functions
is being introduced from 19th September, as follows:

WINTER Working Hours (October to June)

Mondays and Wednesdays 08:00hrs to 12:00hrs

Tuesday and Thursdays 13:15hrs to 16:00hrs

SUMMER Working Hours (July to September)

Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 08:00hrs to 12:00hrs

 During the above detailed time, officers will be available (without prior appointment)
to meet periti and the general public, who are requested to have available any
drawings they wish to discuss.

Your cooperation and compliance in adhering to this time schedule is kindly

solicited.

3 SCREENING SUBMISSIONS CHECKLIST

3.1 In a bid to continuously improve the quality of service provided and facilitate
further the submissions for screening requests, the Authority has prepared
a minimum screening requirements checklist; separate from the one used
to submit a Full Application. This is intended to make the submission of
screening requests easier and more effective for our clients. These
requirements provide the Authority with enough detail to guide our client on
the major planning issues for the proposed development whilst retaining
submitted documentation to a minimum. The requirements have been
written in the form of a checklist for further ease of use.

3.2 Notwithstanding the above, applications may be submitted for screening

with more than the minimum submission requirements as deemed fit by the
perit and applicant.

3.3 Additionally any specific planning issues which the perit/applicant would like
to highlight and obtain an opinion on, from the Directorate, may also be
included with the initial submission through a covering letter explaining in
detail the advice required, although the Directorate is not bound to
comment on issues of detail which are more appropriately dealt with during
the application assessment stage.

4 PLANNING APPLICATION SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

The Planning Application Submission Checklist has been revised with the intention
of clarifying further the requirements listed within and, wherever possible, simplify
such requirements. This supersedes the checklist accompanying MEPA Circular
2/10. The revised requirements are listed in detail below, together with an
abridged version in checklist form which is intended as a tool to assist periti in the
task of compiling a full application. By no means should this abridged checklist
substitute the detailed requirements.

Periti may also wish to note that in the coming weeks section 12 of the application
form for development permission will be curtailed to contain solely those details
required by consultees during the processing of consultation requests, some of
which are currently included in section 12D of the form. The details currently being
collected on behalf of NSO will no longer form part of the application form. The
data required by NSO will start being collected through the attached Development
Form bearing the NSO logo, prior to validation of the application. The form is also
available on NSO website at: http://www.nso.gov.mt/docs/DevelopmentForm.pdf
5 SUBMISSIONS VETTING

When an application for development permission is submitted through eApps, a 13

digit submission reference is assigned to the submission. The submission is then
checked for completeness against the Screening Submission Checklist. Should a
submission lack any one of the requirements, the Authority will communicate such
shortcoming to the perit via conventional email. It is expected that vetting of
requests for screening should take only a few days and therefore, if periti do not
receive any communication from MEPA informing them of an incomplete
submission or of the assignment of a tracking number within 15 days of
submission, they are advised to contact the Authority since it is likely that the
relevant email correspondence and reminder did not reach the perit for reasons
beyond the Authority's control.

If a submission is not updated within 45 days from the date of the original email
sent by the Authority informing of missing documentation, the submission will be
deleted from the electronic system and a fresh screening request will need to be
submitted.

In view of the abovementioned requirements, any perit who has not received an
email correspondence in relation to an application submitted as of 18th October
2010 is to contact David Cassar on David.Cassar@mepa.org.mt by the 30th
September 2011, quoting the relevant submission reference number/s. No
requests for reactivation will be entertained after this deadline.

Issued: 13 September 2011

SCREENING SUBMISSION CHECKLIST E.Apps Ref.
Awtorita` ta Malta dwar l-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar

1 Application Form
Each section duly filled.
Door number or property name included for all existing buildings within Development Zone.
All streets abutting the site listed within the site address.
Proposal indicates clearly, in detail the existing & proposed development (Check renewal & amended permission).

2 Site Plan
MEPA official site plan not older than 1 year on A4 sheet.
Full extent of development site indicated in red and applicant's property indicated in blue and centered on plan.
Only one red site unless contained within one property indicated in blue.
Location from where photos were taken indicated.
Distance from nearest corner indicated.

3 Photographs (clear, colour, recent, day light photos)

3 photos, 1 showing full site faade and 2 showing the site and streetscape to left and right, preferably showing sky
and road, with the site clearly indicated and cross referenced to site plan.
Demolition in UCA Photo survey (cross-referenced on plans) for all areas affected by physical development and
where additional storeys are proposed, shows sides of site and opposite site (streetscape).
Proposed additional floors in UCA sites in Valletta, Floriana and Cottonera - Photos showing long distance views.

4 Drawings
Adequately scaled and dimensioned drawings of proposed development including any approved / existing
development using conventional colour coding.
4.1 Floor Plans
Typical floors numbered and location / level clearly indicated.
Clearly indicated section lines and direction (same at each level).
UCA - Show all traditional elements / roofing methods e.g. kileb, arches, beams.
Villas / Bungalows Block plan showing existing levels including parcelling.
Floor area of every unit, as defined in the Development Planning (Fees) Regulations, 2010 shown as a separate
table.
4.2 Elevations
Show both existing / approved situation.
UCA elevations Include elevations for adjacent building on both sides of proposed building.
Show Shopfront, signage / advertisements.
4.3 Sections
Longitudinal section through buildings extending beyond site boundaries and showing levels of adjoining unbuilt
land / streets.

5 Additional Documentation
Major Project (by size) - Project Description Report.

Farm Dwellings - Live Stock Farming

Blockplan showing proposed dwelling in relation to registered farm.

Farm Dwellings - Full-Time Arable Farmers

Block plan indicating registered arable land in applicant's name with the Dept. of Agriculture within 1km radius.

Buildings for Livestock Farming - New, Upgrading or Re-location

Number of heads (farm capacity) including animal type / species, gender of animals and purpose of rearing from
Department of Agriculture / Food and Veterinary Regulations Division.

Building for Arable Farming (incl. greenhouses, reservoirs, pump chambers, wineries,
buildings for olive oil production
Block plan indicating registered arable land in applicant's name with the Dept. of Agriculture within 1km radius.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS for DEVELOPMENT
PERMISSION APPLICATIONS

1. General submission requirements for all development

permission applications
1.1 Application forms and related detail requirements

(a) Unless otherwise set out in another document, the application form shall consist of the
following documents:

the completed application form wherein:

(i) in the case of applications that are submitted on behalf of a corporate body,
the company name shall be input as the Applicants name, and the company
number is to be provided where the applicants ID is normally input. An
identifiable person, duly authorised by the company represented, shall take
responsibility for the application on behalf of the company. Accordingly, the
individuals name and ID number are still required. These are to be stated in
section 15 of the form;

(ii) the description of development should be clear and in detail, avoiding the
use of complex and technical terminology or unexplained acronyms. It
should include:
- the proposed height of the development in storeys;
- the overall type of development;
- the existing and proposed use or uses;
- the number and type of units (dwellings, garages);
- for alterations, a concise but complete summary of proposed works;
- for extensions, the location and number of storeys;
- for amended permission, the original proposed description of works
and a comprehensive outline of the differences between the original
and amended proposal;
- for renewal permission, the original proposed description of works;
- for commercial development, the relative Use Class and the nature of
use.

(iii) the perits and applicants declarations should be completed. Apart from
the uploading of the electronic application form, a physical hard copy
signed by both the perit and the applicant, in the relevant sections, is to
be submitted to the Authority.

a full set of drawings is required for all types of development, except for renewal
applications. Such drawings should be clear and bold enough to enable printing
without loss of detail. All text entries contained therein should be clearly legible
without the need for magnification. Drawings should conform to Section 1.3;

a site location plan should be submitted and compiled as set out in Section 1.2;

at least three good quality colour photographs faithfully showing the current and
latest state of the site are required as set out in Section 1.5;
 drawings, which shall all be suitably dimensioned, listed with their title, date of issue
and the perits unique reference number. Legends and dimensions on drawings
should be clear and legible;

a completed NSO Development Form;

mandatory site-related information as set out in (d) below;

additional supplementary information required as set out in Section 2;

any fees and contributions due in relation to the proposed development.

(b) Besides the general requirements listed in (a) above, the following additional
supplementary information is required as applicable:

a Tourism Policy Compliance (TPC) Certificate issued by the Malta Tourism

Authority should be submitted for all tourism development as specified in
Appendix 1.
where an existing commercial development on site is not covered by development
permission, a copy of any trading licence issued prior to 1992 and renewed to-date
is to be submitted.
clearance from the Lotteries and Gaming Authority, prior to submission of
applications for gaming parlours.
endorsement from the Department of Environmental Health, prior to submission of
applications for cesspits.
endorsement from Transport Malta, prior to submission of applications for
tables/chairs and billboards.
clearance from the Malta Resources Authority , prior to submission of applications
for LPG Secondary Storage facilities and petrol stations (existing and proposed).
Applications for types of development considered in the Policy and Design
Guidance: Agriculture, Farm Diversification and Stables (December 2007), require
the submission of letters/clearances as set out in Appendix 3 of the same
document.

(c) Mandatory site-related information:

The location of the proposed development should be specified in detail. A

property should have a number or name to indicate the exact location. If the site is
not located in an existing built-up area, the nearest access street names (and/or
the name of the area, particularly if no street name is available) should be given. In
cases of development with a frontage on more than one street, all the street names
should be listed in the appropriate section (Section 5 Location of proposed
development) of the application form.
The proposal description of renewal and amended applications should refer to
the PA number being renewed/amended, (whilst reproducing the original proposal
description in case of renewal applications).
Wherever applicable, all previous application numbers (including permissions,
notifications, clearances, refused applications, environmental permitting cases and
applications for correction of sites) should be included. Applications quoted should
be relevant to the site and/or the development.
If new or altered access is required, this should be clearly indicated in the
description of the proposal and indicated on the site plans and on a block plan.
 Any rubble walls to be demolished should be identified on plan, whilst any trees
proposed to be felled should be described by their correct local and scientific
names and indicated on a block plan.

1.2 Site location map (site plan)

(a) Site location plans should be at scale 1:2500, and must be A4 extracts of the latest
maps (and in any case not generated earlier than the preceeding calendar year)
produced by MEPA that accurately show:

the respective scheme boundary and Urban Conservation Area (UCA)/village core
boundary (where relevant and clearly distinguished from each other);
the street names and site toponyms that are located within the map extract;
the correct orientation (towards the North); and
precise map co-ordinates;

The site plan should be clear and bold enough to enable printing without loss of detail.
In exceptional circumstances, a site plan with a different size other than specified
above may be permissible.

(b) The application site should be at the centre of the site plan - maps with the site at
the edge of the sheet are not acceptable. Moreover, the whole site should be
indicated for applications for two or more structures forming part of the same
development.

(c) The full extent of the application site (including all land necessary to carry out the
proposed development) must be outlined in red. All other land in the area owned by
the applicant must be clearly and correctly shown on the site plan, outlined in blue.

(d) The site plan should also show:

the positions from which photographs were taken; and
the shortest distance (in metres) of the building from the nearest road
junction/corner (or where this is not possible, from the nearest existing building). It
is important to ensure that the measurements are consistent with the location as
mapped on the site plan, and that the points from which measurements are taken
are indicated precisely on the map. [Note: If measurements and mapped locations do not
tally, the submission will be referred back for correction of details].

1.3 Drawings, and additional details

(a) Drawings should be in A-standard format, not larger than A0 and not smaller than A4,
unless the project is of such a scale to necessitate different size of drawings. Only
complete drawings should be indicated on each single sheet (e.g. an A1-sized drawing
submitted on (say) four A3 sheets is not acceptable). All drawings/documents are to
be uploaded as *.pdf.

(b) All the plans, elevations, sections (as well as any other drawings that may be required
for specific developments) should complement each other, be free of
discrepancies or ambiguities and should clearly, fully and correctly reflect:

the site configuration (e.g. the entire proposal must fit within the site indicated on
the site plan);
 the respective schemed alignment e.g. if there is a splay stipulated, the plans
must likewise show a splay); and
the proposal (or the existing development, as may be relevant) in detail.

(c) Standard metric scales should be used for all drawings, unless the contrary is
expressly requested by the Authority. The scale ratio and a corresponding metric
scale bar should be clearly and legibly indicated on the same sheet (or, where
drawings at different scales are included on the same sheet, under the corresponding
drawing). [Note: A scale bar should always be includedas an aid to scaling the dimensions on
the drawings and to minimize errors of re-scaling that may be introduced by copying before or after
submission]. Drawings should not be reduced to fit, as it may distort or affect the
scale or the drawing itself.

(d) Where alterations, additions or demolition works are proposed, conventional colour-
coding is to be used for clarity [red construction proposed; yellow demolition
proposed; blue as constructed, to sanction; green approved but not constructed (to
sanction)]. Drawings of proposals for additions and/or alterations should have the left
hand side or top part showing the approved situation and the right hand side or bottom
part of the drawing showing the proposed development using conventional colours.
For demolition-only interventions, submissions must include a set of plans,
elevations and sections of the existing construction. For projects which are of such
a scale not to allow such information to be submitted on conventionally sized
drawings, this requirement may be waived. In certain cases, plans and elevations
indicating the relationship with the adjacent buildings may be required.

(e) A course counter should be included by the side of all sections and elevations,
clearly showing the height in courses (filati) for each storey, wherever this aids in the
interpretation of the drawing.

(f) Except when copies of previously approved drawings are specifically required to be
submitted, drawings should not have been used for another application and so
should not bear any signature or official stamps indicating previous approvals, etc.

(g) Periti should indicate the issue number/date on the drawings.

(h) All drawings must be dimensioned, in a clear and legible manner (2.5mm character
height, when printed to scale), as follows:

the width and depth of the site, building or structure, including half the
thickness of party walls and backyard walls (note: where it is not possible to
verify the exact thickness of such existing walls, it is appropriate to assume half
the wall thickness as being 115mm;
the depth of front gardens, setback of terraces, and porches;
the width and depth of forecourts;
the width, depth and gradients of ramps;
the width and height of garage door openings;
the width of shopfronts and accesses to commercial premises;
the depth of the projection of balconies, cantilevers and projecting rooms;
the distance of garage door openings from nearest corner/splay where this is less
than 7.4 metres;
the distance of balconies and projecting rooms from third party property;
the clear depth and width of backyards, internal yards and shafts;
the setback of stairwells, services, and other roof structures;
 the length, width and depth of water cisterns and swimming pools;
the width and height of faade from the highest and lowest pavement level;
the height of the basement above the lowest and highest pavement level.
the clear internal height of each floor,;
the external height of roof structures and services;
floorspace of rooms not gaining light and ventilation from an internal yard, backyard
or frontage, but solely through a shaft);
the gross floor area of every unit, as defined in Development Control Policy and
Design Guidance, 2007 (DC2007) or amendments thereof;
the floor area of every unit, as defined in the Development Planning (Fees)
Regulations, 2010, clearly defined as such in a separate table.

1.3.1 Plans

(a) Block plans at scale 1:200/1:500 may be required, depending on the scale, nature
and context of the development. Block plans should clearly show:

the immediate surroundings of the site, so as to establish the relationship of the

site to the street width, to adjoining land, buildings, trees, boundary walls etc;
the site boundaries, together with a clear representation of walls and other means
of boundary demarcation;
the proposed access, parking, internal site road layout and visibility splays; and
the use of the various parts of the development.

(b) The following additional details must be shown on the floor plans submitted:

floor plans should preferably be at 1:100 scale (with 1:200 scale used for larger
projects) and should indicate the existing and proposed use of each of the rooms;
development abutting streets with a width less than 6 metres require a ground floor
plan which shows the immediate surroundings of the site to establish the
relationship of the floor to the street width, to adjoining land and buildings etc., and
indicate the presence of apertures on the opposite side. The first floor should
likewise show the position of any apertures which are existing on the building on
the opposite side of the street. In particular, plans for floors at street level should
also show the street and pavement;
where existing buildings or walls are to be demolished, these should be clearly
shown. The drawings submitted showing the existing building should show details
(e.g. kileb, garigor, etc.)
plans showing parking areas or car parks the individual unobstructed parking
spaces (designed according to the parking standards) should be clearly indicated
and numbered;
wherever plans refer to typical floor, the number and location/level of these
typical floors should be clearly indicated;
all floor plans should clearly indicate the line along which the section through or
across the building is taken and the direction;
for applications for additional floors and/or roof structures, where the
approved drawings of underlying floors are not available, plans showing all floors
should be submitted. Where the proposed structures are adjacent to an internal
yard or backyard, the use of the rooms abutting such yards in the lower floors
should be clearly shown;
the ground floor or basement floor plan (as the case may be) should indicate the
location of the underground reservoir/cistern;
 services on the roof plan; and
all plans for development need to identify each unit by a unique number. For
instance, in the case of a residential block of apartments, each flat should be
numbered; and similarly for a shopping complex, a number should be assigned to
each shop.

1.3.2 Elevations

(a) A scale of 1:50 is to be used for buildings with 3 floors or less; a scale of 1:100 may be
used for higher buildings.

(b) Elevations should show both, the approved situation (or pre-1968 development if an
old building), on the left hand side or top of the drawing, and the proposed changes (in
conventional colours) on the right hand side or bottom of the same drawing. Complete
elevations should be submitted, showing the whole building rather than just part of it.
Should the proposal involve a change in spot levels, illustrated drawings should be
submitted to show both existing and finished levels. Proposed development on sloping
sites should likewise illustrate how the development fits between existing buildings and
the finished levels.

(c) Elevations should clearly include:

details of the materials, textures and colour schemes of the walls, apertures and
other fittings (e.g. balconies, railings);
any boundary wall(s) existing and proposed; and
any additions and alterations that are proposed (even if they are receded back from
the corresponding faade or building line If they are set back from the building
line, they should be indicated in fainter lines than the elevations themselves if this
would improve clarity).

(d) Any shopfront, signage or advertisements proposed should be included on the main
elevation.

(e) For development where the back facade is visible from a public space or from Outside
the Development Zone, the back elevations must be submitted.

1.3.3 Sections

(a) The following general details are required:

a vertical section through the facade at 1:50 scale is to be used for buildings with
3 floors or less; a scale of 1:100 may be used for higher buildings;
longitudinal sections and transverse sections through buildings (at 1:100/1:200
scale and cross-referenced to the plans).

(b) Sections through a building should:

extend beyond the site boundary, to show the levels of adjoining unbuilt
land/streets etc (existing and proposed);
pass through washrooms, services at roof level, internal yards and back yards,
where present;
show in dotted line the existing site levels; and
show the depth of the underground water reservoir/cistern.
 Where there are ramps from the development to the street, one section should be
through the ramp to clearly show the gradient and headroom.

(c) Additional requirements relating to particular development types:

For construction on undeveloped land, surrounded by other undeveloped

land, and for non-building development (e.g. excavation, reclamation, levelling,
land filling, quarrying, re-profiling of land, etc.), sections through the site showing
existing and proposed site levels and floor/foundation levels in relation to adjoining
buildings, roads, services and land topography.
For non-building development (other than quarrying), details of the type, thickness
and gradient/profile of the deposited material (and/or of the engineered terrain/rock
face).

1.4 Technical details

(a) Additional technical details, surveys or reports may also be required for the
assessment of certain proposals. However, such details should be submitted only
following discussion with the Authority or upon request by the Authority, and any terms
of reference issued by the Authority should be followed accordingly. Apart from
avoiding potentially unnecessary work and expense, this also simplifies the
assessment process.

(b) Reports such as those relating to Fire Safety and Ventilation or Noise Assessment
need to be prepared by a qualified professional holding a relevant warrant.

(c) The following types of applications must be accompanied by a Fire Safety and
Ventilation Report:

(i) internal development;

(ii) hospitals, nursing homes, and old peoples homes;
(iii) tourism accommodation;
(iv) cumulative office/commercial/retail floorspace exceeding 750m;
(v) enclosed community facilities and museums;
(vi) education facilities;
(vii) assembly and leisure;
(viii) hazardous installations;
(ix) fireworks factories;
(x) fuel stations.

(d) Applications for additions to types of development listed in the MEPA Circular 3/10 or
amendments thereof, require the submission of an Accessibility Audit report prior to a
full development application being validated.

(e) Applications for development which fall within the criteria set with Enemalta, listed in
MEPA Circular 2/10 or amendments thereof, require the submission of a letter (prior to
validation) confirming that the applicant/perit has been in contact with the Corporation.
1.5 Photographs

(a) At least one photograph should show the site itself, another should show the site in
relation to adjacent properties to its right, and the third should show the site in relation
to adjacent properties to its left, covering the whole streetscape.

(b) Additional photographic information required for specific developments:

Where works are proposed in gardens, backyards or courtyards, the photos should
clearly show such outdoor space.
Where development is proposed on a roof; at least one photograph of the affected
part of the roof is also required.
Applications for swimming pools should include a photo of the area of the
proposed pool.
In the case of large sites, additional photographs should be submitted so that they
convey a clear and representative picture of the entire site.
For development where the back elevation is visible from a public space,
photographs of the site taken from such public space must be submitted.
Internal/external alterations or demolition to buildings visible on the official 1968
Survey Sheet, require the submission of a photographic survey showing all existing
and proposed roofing methods/structures and all architectural features affected by
the development. Photographs should be cross-referenced on a plan of the
existing building.

(c) Photographs must be recent of good quality and of an appropriate size, and should
enable clear identification of the site and its surroundings. They should be taken in
daylight, from an appropriate distance and the view should feature the sky and the
road/ground. The view should not be obstructed by vehicles. Photos should be at least
10cm x 15cm in size. Scanned copies are only acceptable if they are of photographic
quality comparable to original photographs. [Note: The following are unacceptable:
Polaroid, black -and-white or monochrome photographs; non-colour photocopies;
faded, overexposed, underexposed or blurred photographs; photographs that are
taken from too far away or that are taken at so close a range that relevant site features
are left out; digital photographs that have been altered or otherwise tampered with].

(d) The building or site to which the application relates should be clearly marked on the
photos to avoid doubt or ambiguity.

(e) All photographs should be cross-referenced by means of a number or letter to the site
plan on which the points from which the photos were taken are shown.

(f) The photographs should be oriented in an upright position.

(g) Fresh sets of photographs must be submitted with each application. Retrieval of
photographs from other case files for re-use in new applications is not acceptable.
2. Additional submission requirements for specific development
types

2.1 Applications in Urban Conservation Areas (UCAs)

(a) Essential architectural features such as existing arches, kileb, xorok, alkovi, timber
beams, chimney, etc. should be clearly shown on the existing plans and sections.

(b) Two streetscape elevations, one as approved/existing and one as proposed, showing
the adjacent faades in detail, are required for applications affecting the external
appearance of the building.

(c) For works located within a scheduled property, the appropriate section should be
filled in the application form. This information can be found on the MEPA website
Mapserver by checking the Information section on the particular site.

(d) Where restoration works are included in a proposal, or where the site lies within
scheduled property, a method statement is required. The Policy Guidance for
Development Control within Urban Conservation Areas gives more details on the
required contents of the method statement. A general Terms of Reference is being
attached as Appendix 2.

(e) The location of air conditioning units and other services such as water tanks should be
shown.

(f) Additional photographic information required:

Where additional storeys are proposed, photos should illustrate buildings on

both sides of the site and also buildings on the opposite side of the street.
In Valletta, Floriana and Cottonera, photos of long distance views towards any
proposed additional floor/roof structures should also be submitted.

2.2 Applications for villas and semi-detached or detached dwellings

(a) A block plan must be submitted. This plan, which may be at 1:200 or 1:500 scale
depending on the size and scale of the proposal, should show:

existing features, site levels (datum from MSL) of undisturbed land and site
boundaries;
the proposed development in relation to adjoining roads and buildings;
the parceling of the land and the position of the side curtilage;
the proposed access, parking, internal site road layout and visibility splays;
the existing planting which is to be retained or removed;
the plot area and site coverage;
existing spot levels on the outline of the proposed building, extending up to and
including road level.

(b) Applications should also include accurate longitudinal and cross sections through
at least two transects of the site, showing existing site levels (i.e. the levels of the
top soil prior to any work or site clearance) and proposed finished site levels. The road
level should be taken as datum.
(c) Applications shall also include existing site profile clearly indicated on front elevations
and two sectional elevations showing the existing site levels plotted against the
proposed elevations.

2.3 Applications for major developments

(a) A block plan must be submitted to permit full consideration of planning issues. This
plan, which may be at 1:200 or 1:500 scale depending on the size and scale of the
proposal, should include land outside the boundary of the site.

(b) An indication of the topography of surrounding roads should be provided. Where

gradients may obstruct sightlines, spot levels will be required.

(c) Large or unusual types of development require the submission of a Project

Description Report. This should fully and accurately describe the proposal, provide
justification for the development and outline potential impacts and/or benefits. This
would help the case officer and consultees to better understand the proposal. A report
on fire prevention and (where applicable) ventilation and noise abatement is also
required.

(d) Applications for an Environment and Development Brief (not required by a local plan or
any other plan) require the submission of an application form, a block plan indicating
the existing structures/features on site, together with a Project Description Report with
a site plan, a master plan and site photographs.

2.4 Applications for development located outside development zone (ODZ)

(a) A block plan is to be submitted with applications for development located ODZ. This
plan, which may be at 1:200 or 1:500 scale, depending on the size and scale of the
proposal, should show:

existing site features (including boundary walls, trees, existing structures/buildings

with an indication of their current and proposed use, etc.), land levels and site
boundaries;
the proposed development in relation to adjoining roads and buildings;
identification of existing/proposed access to the site from a public road
the parceling of the land and the position of side curtilage;
the proposed access and (where relevant) parking, internal site road layout, sight
lines, and visibility splays;
any rubble walls / existing trees or planting which is to be retained or removed; new
planting, the landscaping proposed, earth mounding, treatment of floorspace, etc.

(b) A landscaping scheme showing:

full details (also shown on drawings/plans and including additional photos) of the
physical peripheral boundary of the site, the external apertures (e.g. gates),
land surfacing, and the existing planting/vegetation within the site (location and
type of species [scientific and common names]);
full details of all new and retained planting (location and type of species
[scientific and common names]);
full details of other proposed provisions, including for hard and soft
landscaping, for improving the visual aspect of the holding and its compatibility with
the surrounding environment;
 provision for the construction and maintenance of traditional rubble walls;
removal and/or replacement of alien invasive species with indigenous ones;
details of implementation and maintenance.

(c) For types of development considered in the Policy and Design Guidance:
Agriculture, Farm Diversification and Stables (December 2007), reference is to be
made to Appendix 3 of the same document, for specific submission requirements.
Appendix 1

DEVELOPMENTS REQUIRING PRIOR CLEARANCE FROM

THE MALTA TOURISM AUTHORITY

A number of developments also require clearance and licence from the Malta Tourism
Authority (MTA). A copy of MTA authorisation, which may take the form of a Tourism Policy
Compliance Certificate or a letter from the Malta Tourism Authority stating that MTA finds no
objection to the submission of an application with MEPA, must be submitted with
applications or notifications for new development, or for extension to or modification of
existing development of the following types:

Accommodation establishments including

Hotels
Aparthotels
Holiday villages
Hostels
Guest houses

Catering establishments including

Restaurants (including fast-food outlets and pizzerias)
Snack bars (including coffee shops)
Bars
Take-aways (excluding pastizzeriji)
Fixed and mobile kiosks
Night clubs and discotheques

Other establishments including

Travel operations (including DMCs; incoming and outgoing agencies; organised
excursions operators)
Diving service operations (including diving schools, diving centres)
Concessions for external facilities relating to catering outlets.
Outlets hiring umbrellas, deckchairs and sundecks
Appendix 2

Terms of Reference
for
Restoration Method Statements
for
Buildings of Cultural Significance
Section 1 Introduction and Historical Analysis
1. A brief description of the project, current and future use of the building.
2. A brief historical background of the building.

Section 2 Appraisal, Assessment and Evaluation

1. Description of the building layout, faade, materials, construction methods
and apertures, structural condition, external and internal finishes.
2. Current state of Conservation of Materials. Identification of deterioration
mechanisms mechanical, physical, chemical, biological.
3. Mapping of Deterioration/weathering forms.

Section 3 Planning and Briefing

1. Restoration philosophy and methodology. In compliance with international
conservation conventions and charters and best practice.
2. Planning and mapping of interventions.
3. Specifications on interventions on parts of building, features or fixtures.
4. Monitoring.
5. Documentation.

Section 4 - Drawing Conventions

1. Plans, sections and elevations of structure at a scale of 1:100, 1:50 and 1:20
for details of:
(i) Existing building,
(ii) Weathering forms (as per Section 2, no.3),
(iii) Proposed interventions in building (as per Section 3, no.2).
2. Detailed photographic record of building, internally and externally, in its
present state including all features. This should be cross-referenced to plans
to indicate the position from where the photographs were taken.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION CHECKLIST E.Apps Ref.
Awtorita` ta Malta dwar l-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar

1 Application Form
Each section duly filled
Door number or property name included for all existing buildings (mandatory within Development Zone)
All streets abutting the site listed within the site address
Proposal indicates clearly, in detail the existing & proposed development (Check renewal & amended permission)

2 Site Plan
MEPA official site plan not older than previous year on A4 sheet
Full extent of development site indicated in red and applicant's other property indicated in blue, centered on plan
Only one red site unless contained within one property indicated in blue
Location from where photos were taken indicated
Distance from nearest corner indicated

3 Photographs (clear, colour, recent, day light photos)

1 photo showing unobstructed full site facade
1 photo showing site and streetscape to the right
1 photo showing site and streetscape to the left
Side photos and preferably also frontal photo show sky and road
Site indicated clearly on each photo
Adequately cross-referenced to site plan
Photos showing where the development is proposed (e.g. garden photos for pools etc.)
Photo size not smaller than 10cm x 15cm
Photos oriented in an upright position on an A4 portrait sheet
Demolition in UCA Photo survey (cross-referenced on plans) for all areas affected by physical development and
where additional storeys are proposed, shows sides of site and opposite site (streetscape).
Proposed additional floors in UCA sites in Valletta, Floriana and Cottonera - Photos showing long distance views

4 Drawings
Fully reflect full site configuration and proposal including approved development
Approved /exisiting development on left hand side / top part and proposed on right hand side / bottom part of drawing
Standard scales used, indicated on drawings including a corresponding metric scale bar
Conventional colour coding used (Red - construction proposed, Yellow - demolition proposed, Blue - as constructed,
to sanction, Green - approved but not constructed, to sanction)
Sections / elevations have course (filati) counter for each storey, whenever this aids drawing interpretation
Suitably dimensioned
4.1 Block Plans (for ODZ, MPs and Villas / Bungalows)
Scale is 1:200 or 1:500
Show site's immediate surroundings, site boundaries, trees (species) and rubble walls (conventional colours)
Show proposed access, parking, internal road layout, visibility splays and use of various parts of the
development
Block plan showing street width
4.2 Floor Plans
Scale is 1:100 or 1:200 for larger development and indicate existing and proposed use of all rooms (Streets < 6m
width require ground floor plan)
Show parking areas / car parks (individual parking spaces indicated and numbered)
Typical floors numbered and location / level clearly indicated
Clearly indicated section lines and direction (same at each level)
UCA - Show all traditional elements / roofing methods e.g. kileb, arches, beams
Third party walls - Wall thickness indicated
Each unit identified by unique number (flats numbers, shop numbers etc.)
Floor area of every unit, as defined in the Development Planning (Fees) Regulations, 2010 shown as a separate
table.
 4.3 Elevations
Scale is 1:50 for 3 floors or less and 1:50 or 1:100 for higher buildings
Show both existing / approved situation (L.H.S.) or top part and proposed changes (R.H.S.) or bottom part.
Show the whole building
Villas / Bungalows Existing site profile plotted against all proposed elevations
UCA elevations Include elevations for adjacent building on both sides of site

Show details of materials, textures and colour schemes of walls, apertures and fittings (e.g.. railings, balconies)
Show any boundary walls, existing and proposed
Show additions /alterations proposed even if receded (setbacks shown in fainter lines)
Show Shopfront, signage / advertisements
ODZ or Visible from public space - Show back elevation
4.4 Sections
Vertical section through faade and balcony scaled 1:50 (1:100 for more than 3 floor development)
Longitudinal and cross sections through buildings scaled 1:100 / 1:200 including street levels
Ramps, stairwells, internal & back yards, washrooms, services, underground cisterns (also on plan) and existing
site levels indicated
All sections cross-referenced to plans
Extend beyond site boundary and showing levels of adjoining unbuilt land / streets
Construction (undeveloped surroundings) / non-building development Sections showing existing and proposed
site levels and floor / foundation levels in relation to adjoining buildings, roads, services and land topography
Non-building development details of type, thickness, gradient profile of deposited material / engineered terrain /
rock face
4.5 Surveys
Villas / Bungalows Block plan showing existing levels including parcelling.

5 Additional Documentation
Completed NSO Development Form
Settlement of payment
ODZ non-agricultural dwellings - Proof of residence pre '92
Major Project (by size) - Project Description Report

6 Prior Clearances
Tourism Accommodation or Catering - Malta Tourism Authority
Gaming Parlour, Casino, Bingo, Betting Shop or Lotto Office - Lotteries & Gaming Authority
Cesspit - Department of Environmental Health
Billboards - Transport Malta
Tables and Chairs - Malta Tourism Authority and Transport Malta
LPG Secondary Storage and Petrol Stations - Malta Resources Authority
Commercial Development - Proof that premises is covered by PA permit or license issued prior to 1992.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION CHECKLIST E.Apps Ref.
Awtorita` ta Malta dwar l-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar

1 Dimension Requirements
Width and depth of the site, building or structure, including owned wall thickness
Depth of front gardens, setback of terraces, and porches
Width and depth of forecourts
Width, depth, gradients of ramps
Width and height of garage door openings
Width of shopfronts and accesses to commercial premises
Depth of the projection of balconies, cantilevers and projecting rooms
Distance of garage door openings from nearest corner/splay where this is less than 7.4 metres
Distance of balconies and projecting rooms from third party property
Clear depth and width of backyards, internal yards and shafts
Setback of stairwells, services, and other roof structures
Length, width and depth of water cisterns and swimming pools
Width and height of faade from the highest and lowest pavement level
Height of the basement above the lowest and highest pavement level
Clear internal height of each floor, including basements
External height of roof structures and services
Floorspace of rooms not gaining light and ventillation from an internal yard but solely through a shaft.
Gross Floor Area as defined in DC2007, or amendments thereof, shown on plans.

Floor area of every unit, as defined in the Development Planning (Fees) Regulations, 2010 shown as a separate table.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION CHECKLIST E.Apps Ref.
Awtorita` ta Malta dwar l-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar

Farm Dwellings

1 Farm Dwellings - Live Stock Farming

1.1 General Requirements
Justification for the proposed development
Employment status from ETC
Notarial decleration regarding ownership of other dwellings within 1km radius in past 10 years
1.2 Requirements from Department of Agriculture / Food and Veterinary Regulations Division
Registration status and date (both applicant and farm)
Licences
Number of heads
Recommendation of proposal

2 Farm Dwellings - Full-Time Arable Farmers

2.1 General Requirements
Block Plan scale is 1:5000
Block plan indicates registered arable land in applicant's name with the Dept. of Agriculture within 1km radius
Block plan indicates each parcel of land duly numbered and referenced in a legend including site area in m 2
Block plan indicates the associated reference of each land parcel with the Department of Agriculture
Evidence of production, turnover and income for the last three years
Justification for the proposed development
Employment status from ETC
Notarial decleration regarding ownership of other dwellings within 1km radius in past 10 years
2.2 Requirements from Department of Agriculture
Registration status of applicant and date
Land registered on applicant within a radius of 1km
Registration of site
Recommendation of proposal
APPLICATION SUBMISSION CHECKLIST E.Apps Ref.
Awtorita` ta Malta dwar l-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar

Building for Livestock Farming ( incl. slaughterhouses) and Change of Use of Disused or
Abandoned Livestock Farm Buildings

1 Buildings for Livestock Farming - New, Upgrading or Re-location

1.1 General Requirements
Pre 92 - 88/94 aerial photographs
1.2 Requirements from Department of Agriculture / Food and Veterinary Regulations Division
Registration status of applicant
Farm Licences (if existing)
Number of heads (farm capacity) including animal type / species
Gender of animals
Purpose of rearing
Recommendation of proposal

2 Change of Use of Disused or Abandoned Livestock Farm Buildings

2.1 Requirements from Department of Agriculture / Food and Veterinary Regulations Division
Statement confirming the farm is no longer used for livestock farming
Statement confirming the farm is not suitable to accommodate existing or new farms
Recommendation of proposal

3 Slaughterhouses
2.1 Requirements from Department of Agriculture / Food and Veterinary Regulations Division
Registration status of applicant and date
Recommendation of proposal
Statement confirming the applicant is not the owner of another slaughterhouse elsewhere
Applicant's licences and quota
APPLICATION SUBMISSION CHECKLIST E.Apps Ref.
Awtorita` ta Malta dwar l-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar

Building for Arable Farming (incl. greenhouses, reservoirs, pump chambers, wineries, buildings for
olive oil production, visitor attractions, agro-tourism accomodation and farm retail sales)

1 All above-listed development

1.1 Requirements from Department of Agriculture
Registration status of applicant and date (except for wineries)
Recommendation of proposal
Land registered on applicant within a radius of 1km
Registration of site (except for agro-tourism accomodation)

2 Buildings for Storage for Arable Farming, Greenhouses, Reservoirs/Pump Chambers,

Wineries and Buildings for Olive Oil Production
2.1 General Requirements
Block Plan scale is 1:5000
Block plan indicates registered arable land in applicant's name with the Dept. of Agriculture within 1km radius
Block plan indicates each parcel of land duly numbered and referenced in a legend including site area in m 2
Block plan indicates the associated reference of each land parcel with the Department of Agriculture

3 Wineries
3.1 Requirements from Viticulture and Oenology Unit
Registration status of applicant and date

4 Visitor Attractions, Agro-tourism accomodation and Farm Retail Sales

4.1 General Requirements
Justification for the proposed development

5 Agro-tourism accomodation
5.1 Requirements from Malta Tourism Authority
Recommendation of proposal
APPLICATION SUBMISSION CHECKLIST E.Apps Ref.
Awtorita` ta Malta dwar l-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar

Land Reclamation, Buildings for Beekeeping / Honey Produce and Horse Riding
Establishments / Stables

1 Land Reclamation
1.1 Requirements from Department of Agriculture
Recommendation of proposal

2 Buildings for Beekeeping and/or Honey Processing

2.1 Requirements from Department of Agriculture / Food and Veterinary Regulations Division
Registration status of applicant and date from the Apiculture Section, Agriculture / Food and Veterinary
Regulations Division
Number of colonies registered in the applicant's name
Recommendation of proposal

3 Horse Riding Establishments and Stables

3.1 Requirements from Department of Agriculture / Food and Veterinary Regulations Division
Recommendation of proposal
3.2 Requirements from Food and Veterinary Regulations Division / Qualified Veterinary
Ownership of horses
Official documents / evidence of ownership
Development Form
(This information is being gathered on behalf of the National Statistics Office)

Tracking no. PA no.

Application description:

Perit or Partnership responsible for this application:

Name:

Tel no: Mob no:

Email address:

(a) Internal alterations to existing development that do not alter the number of units or do not result in
an increase of built up area of more than 20%?

Yes (If "Y" fill section b only) No

Before answering the following questions please see notes below:

*Garages part of residential buildings should be classified separately as other non-residential buildings.

For built development, the gross floor area of a building is defined as the floor space measured within its outer
walls or within the centre-line of common party walls.

Useful floor area is defined as the floor space measured within the outer walls but including the inner walls. It
excludes internal shafts, stairs, balconies, terraces and open roof areas, non-habitable cellars, and in multi-
dwelling buildings all common spaces.

Unit A4: Short-term Statistics,

Directorate A: Economic Statisitcs
National Statistics Office, Lascaris, Valletta VLT 2000
t. 25997329 f. 25997308 e. short-term.nso@gov.mt w.www.nso@gov.mt
(b) Existing Development (tick where appropriate)

Unit type Existing CC No. of Gross

code units floor area
Residential buildings*
Bungalow 1110
Farmhouse 1110
Apartment/Flat (1 bedroom) 1122
Apartment/Flat (2 bedrooms) 1122
Apartment/Flat (more than 2 bedrooms) 1122
Maisonette 1110
Penthouse 1122
Terraced house 1110
Villa 1110
External non-roofed areas (e.g. yard, driveway, garden) 9999
Other non-residential buildings, including land, to be developed
(please specify)
External 'non-roofed' areas
(e.g. open air car park, pool area, garden etc) 8888

Garages/roofed car spaces forming part of residential

buildings 1241

(c) Proposed development (tick where appropriate)

Unit type Proposed CC No. Gross Useful

code of floor floor
units area area
Residential buildings*
Bungalow 1110
Farmhouse 1110
Apartment/Flat (1 bedroom) 1122
Apartment/Flat (2 bedrooms) 1122
Apartment/Flat (more than 2 bedrooms) 1122
Maisonette 1110
Penthouse 1122
Terraced house 1110
Villa 1110
External non-roofed areas (e.g. yard, driveway, 9999
garden)
Other non-residential buildings, including land, to be developed
(please specify)
External 'non-roofed' areas
(e.g. open air car park, pool area, garden etc) 8888

Garages/roofed car spaces forming part of residential

buildings 1241
Code Description

1130 Residences for communities

Residential buildings for communities, including residences and service residences for the elderly,
students, children and other social groups, e.g. retirement homes, workers' hostels, fraternity homes,
orphanages, hostels for the homeless, etc.
Excluding hospitals and clinics (1264), institutional buildings with nursing or medical care (1264), and
prisons, barracks (1274)

1211 Hotel buildings and catering establishments

Hotels, motels, inns, pensions and similar lodging buildings, with or without restaurants
Other catering establishments (e.g. restaurants, bars, cafeterias, gelaterias etc)
Excluding hotel buildings or catering establishments in shopping centres ex. Bay Street Hotel within the
Bay Street shopping complex (1230)

1212 Other short-stay accommodation buildings

Youth hostels, children's or family holiday camps, vacation bungalows, holiday and rest homes and other
lodging buildings for holiday makers, not elsewhere classified
Excluding hotels and similar lodging buildings (1211) and amusement and leisure parks (2412)

1220 Office buildings

Buildings used as places of business, for clerical and administrative purposes, e.g. banks, post offices,
municipal offices, government department offices, etc.
Conference and congress centers, law courts, parliament buildings
Excluding offices in buildings mainly used for other purposes

1230 Wholesale and retail trade buildings

Shopping centers, shopping malls, department stores, detached shops and boutiques, halls used for fairs,
auctions and exhibitions, indoor markets, service stations, etc.
Excluding shops in buildings mainly used for other purposes

1241 Communication buildings, stations, terminals and associated buildings

Buildings and installations of civil and military airports, rail stations, bus stations and harbour terminals,
cablecar and chairlift stations
Radio and television broadcast buildings, telephone exchange buildings, telecommunication centers, etc.
Airplane hangars, signal-box buildings nd engine and wagon sheds
Air traffic control buildings (towers), telephone booths, and lighthouse buildings
Excluding service stations (1230), reservoirs, silos and warehouses (1252), railway tracks (212), airfield
runways (2130), telecommunication lines and masts (2213,2224) and terminals for hydrocarbons (2303)

1242 Garage buildings

Garages (overground or underground), roofed car parks, roofed car spaces, bicycle sheds
Excluding carparks in buildings mainly used for other purposes and service stations (1230) other than
residential purposes

1251 Industrial buildings

Covered buildings used for industrial production, e.g. factories, workshops, slaughterhouses, breweries,
assembly plants, etc.
Excluding reservoirs, silos and warehouses (1252), non-residential farm buildings (1271), complex
industrial installations (power stations, refineries, etc) which do not have the characteristics of a building
(230)

1252 Reservoirs, silos and warehouses

Reservoirs and tanks, reservoirs for oil and gas, silos for cereals, cement or other dry aggregates, cold
stores and specialised warehouses
Excluding agricultural silos and storage buildings used for agriculture (1271), water towers (2222), and
hydrocarbon terminals (2303)

1261 Public entertainment buildings

Cinemas, concert halls, opera houses, theaters, etc.
Meeting halls and multi-purpose halls mainly used for public entertainment
Casinos, circuses, music halls, dance-halls and discotheques, bandstands, etc.
Excluding museums, art galleries (1262), sports halls (1265), and amusement and leisure parks (2412)
 Code Description

1262 Museums and libraries

Museums, art galleries, libraries, archive buildings and resource centers
Excluding historic monuments (1273)

1263 School, university and research buildings

Buildings used for pre-primary, primary and secondary education (e.g. nursery schools, kindergartens,
primary schools, secondary schools, colleges, technical schools, etc.), formal education schools, vocational
training schools, special schools
Buildings used for higher education and research; research laboratories; higher educational establishments
Weather stations, observatory buildings
Excluding hostels which are detached buildings of boarding schools (1130), hostels for students (1130),
and libraries (1262)

1264 Hospital or institutional care buildings

Institutions providing medical and surgical treatment and nursing care for ill or injured people
Sanatoria, long-stay hospitals and nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, dispensaries, maternity facilities,
maternal and child welfare centers
Excluding residences for homes with social assistance (welfare) services for old or handicapped people,
etc. (1130)

1265 Sports halls

Buildings used for indoor sports (basketball and tennis courts, swimming pools, gymnastic halls, skating or
ice-hockey rinks, etc.) providing facilities for spectators (stands, terraces, etc.) and for participants (shower
and changing rooms, etc.)
Excluding multipurpose halls mainly used for public entertainment (1261) and sports grounds used for
open-air sports (2411)

1271 Non-residential farm buildings

Farm buildings and storage buildings used for agriculture farming, e.g. cowsheds, stables, pig houses,
sheep-folds, studs, kennels, industrial hen-houses, granaries, hangars and agricultural outhouses, cellars,
wine making plant, wine vats, greenhouses, agricultural silos, etc.
Excluding installations of zoological and botanical gardens 2412

1272 Buildings used as places of worship and for religious activities

Churches, chapels, mosques, synagogues, etc.
Cemeteries and associated constructions, funeral parlors, crematoriums
Excluding secularized religious buildings used as museums (1262), historic monuments (1273), and
museums (1262)

1273 Historic or protected monuments

Historic or protected buildings, of any kind, not used for other purposes
Statues and commemorative, artistic or decorative constructions
Excluding religious buildings (1272)

1274 Other buildings not elsewhere classified

Penitentiaries, prisons and remand centers, barracks for armed forces, police or fire services
Structures such as bus shelters, public toilets, wash houses, etc.
Excluding religious buildings (1272), telephone booths (1241), hospitals of penitentiaries, prisons and
armed forces (1264), and miilitary engineering works (2420)

For further information on the construction classification, please refer to the following link:

http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/ramon/nomenclatures/index.cfm?TargetUrl=LST_CLS_DLD&StrNom=CC_1998&S
trLanguageCode=EN&StrLayoutCode=HIERARCHIC

Other documents relating to this classification:

Full paper publication: introduction, structure and explanatory notes