The Malta Sociological Association submitted its feedback on the proposed amendment to planning policy P35 presented by the Planning Authority with the consultation title: PA PRESENTS AMENDMENT FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION TO CLARIFY INTERPRETATION OF BUILDING HEIGHT LIMITATIONS. Below you may find the MSA position as submitted to the Planning Authority.
The Malta Sociological Association notes the public consultation on the amendment to planning policy P35 presented by the Planning Authority. The MSA recommends the employment of a social impact assessment in conformity with the International Principles for Social Impact Assessment. The International Association for Impact Assessment defines SIA as being “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”. An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and should employ various methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be one-off exercises, but ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes.