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The new Planning Authority was launched in April 2016. The Planning Authority is responsible for development planning. The Authority has a number of Boards and Committees that assist the organization to fulfill its functions and responsibilities efficiently and transparent, in line with its legal obligations. These Boards and Committees include:
The Executive Council carries out the function of a centralized office where all development applications are duly processed by case officers and recommended for either approval or refusal. Additionally, the Council has the power to issue discontinuance and removal orders as well as to issue scheduling and conservation orders. Plans and policies, minor modifications, including planning control applications, and development orders are also formulated by the Executive Council. The Executive Council is composed of the Executive Chairperson together with Chairpersons of the Planning Board, representatives from the Environment and Resource Authority and other supplementary members to be called in by the Executive Chairperson to improve coordination across Government.
The Planning Board is responsible for the issue of development permissions, taking over the decision role of the MEPA Board. The Board members are as follows: the Cahirperson, five indepedent mebers, one member chosen from amongst the chairpersons of the Planning Commissions, two members of the House of Representatives nominated by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition respectively, a member representing the Environment and Resources Authority, a member nominated by environmental NGOs (eNGOs), three public officers and a member chosen by the Local Council who shall sit on the Board when a major project application lies within its boundary.
The Planning Commissions carry out the function of determining development planning applications. These Commissions are delegated to take decisions based on the approved local plans and other policy documents that regulate and guide the decisions of the Authority.
The Users' Committee supervises the general functioning of the Authority particularly to ensure, in the interest of the general public, an expeditious and fair process and transparency and uniformity in the Authority’s decisions and acts. The Committee shall propose, to the Authority or the Minister as the case may be, such changes to administrative processes and practices as it may deem appropriate. The Committee, which is autonomous from the Authority, is composed of representatives from each of the interested national constituted bodies recognized by the minister.
The Agricultural Advisory Committee evaluates proposals and provides expert advice in terms of sustainable agriculture, but also to collate information regarding applications related to agriculture.
The Design Advisory Committee makes recommendations in relation to design in development applications related to urban conservation areas and major projects.
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