The granting of permission by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for the relocation of a kiosk in St Paul’s Bay has caused quite a stir, resulting in a petition being drawn up and signed by about 350 individuals.
The petition has been handed in to MEPA to stop the relocation of the Mare Azzurro Kiosk from its present location to the Belvedere on Triq it-Trunciera, St Paul’s Bay (Bugibba promenade), according to a source, who passed on this information to The Malta Independent.
The petitioners are asking the MEPA Board to reconsider the granting of this permit and reverse the decision taken on 8 August and to ensure that no works are carried out on the site prior to a decision being taken on the reconsideration.
The online petition has over 180 signatures, while the written submission has 170 signatures.
The accompanying letter states that this relocation goes against the North West Local Plan approved in 2006. The letter argues that the relocation of this kiosk would go against the restructuring of the Bugibba Promenade Project carried out in 1997, wherein all such kiosks which at the time were hindering the free access of the pavement to pedestrians were relocated to other less intrusive locations away from the pavement/promenade and on appropriately constructed platforms that could also accommodate tables, chairs and umbrellas for the people patronizing these kiosks. The kiosk in question was one of the kiosks relocated.
The letter also said that this approved relocation goes against the public perception of having open spaces freely accessible to the public, both locals and tourists, for the enjoyment of panoramic views, unhindered by permanent structures built for commercial purposes. It also states that it goes against the present policy guidelines which state that kiosks should be 500m away from other kiosks.
The petitioners are worried that this could serve as a precedent for the Habibi Kiosk (presently adjacent to the Mare Azzuro Kiosk) to apply for a relocation to a more prominent site on the Bugibba promenade. “The relocation also raises questions regarding what will happen to the platform ‘freed’ by the removal of the present kiosk”
Copies of the petition were sent to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil.
A MEPA representative, responding to questions, said that they did indeed receive the petition.
“It must be pointed out that the EPC approved this planning permission as recommended by the Planning Directorate subject that the engineer's report that removes reference to cooking apparata and noise level shall not exceed 45dB at nearest sensitive receptor. A Bank Guarantee to the value of €10,000.00 was also imposed to ensure that the existing kiosk is removed prior to the construction of the approved kiosk”.