Residents and activists on Thursday held a symbolic action in protest against illegal land grab by db’s catering establishments in Mellieħa
With the cry “Give us back our square”, activists and residents occupied the illegal tables and chairs of the db Group in the iconic Mellieħa square Misraħ iż-Żjara tal-Papa on the eve of the Planning Authority hearing where it is expected that the PA will greenlight the illegalities.
The activists and residents staged this symbolic action to send a strong message against the take-up of our public spaces by the tables and chairs that are choking our streets, pavements and squares and against the rampant abuse facilitated by our useless authorities.
They insisted that the square belongs to the people, and therefore, it is well within their right, and the people’s right, to take it back. During this symbolic action, they stated that private interests have no right to occupy our public spaces. The people have every right to take back what belongs to them, including public land. The dire situation brought about by the encroachment on public spaces, and all the abuse that this entails, are being facilitated by the complicity of the authorities, including the Planning Authority, the Lands Authority, and the Malta Tourism Authority, which according to the activists, are servile to private interests and actively work against the interests of the people.
The case in Mellieħa, "where the ugly monster called greed has also reared its head", is a prime example of how the authorities enable and reward contravenors, the statement said. The blatant abuse carried out by the db Group was facilitated, and is expected to be rewarded, by the authorities who bent backwards to accommodate their interests.
The activists reiterated that the db’s outdoor catering area in the heart of the village is totally illegal since the maze of tables, chairs, umbrellas and other furniture is not covered by a permit. Instead of taking action, the PA let the db Group have its way and do as it pleases. The Ombudsman, whose recommendations went ignored, even reprimanded the authorities for failing to take action, and noted with disbelief how the Planning Authority is encouraging contravenors to do as they please. Not only will it not take action, but it will also help them in avoiding such action. In fact, on the same day that the Ombudsman had warned the PA to issue a stop and enforcement notice against the establishment, the db Group applied to sanction their illegalities with the PA.
The deafening silence of the authorities and the Government is unacceptable, the activists said. Faced with this gross injustice, the activists and residents therefore felt that they had no choice but to take direct action and occupy the tables and chairs that are illegally occupying the people's square.
They demand that:
(1) The application (PA/06161/23) of the db Group for the sanctioning of illegal structures on public land is categorically rejected by the PA in the hearing on Friday, April 12.
(2) The applicant should be forced to remove all the structures placed in the square, return the square to the public, and pay heavy fines for the abuse that went on unimpeded for 8 months to the detriment of the Mellieħa community.
(3) Immediate action by the Planning Authority, the Lands Authority and the Malta Tourism Authority is needed to enforce, strengthen and improve the current laws that regulate outdoor catering areas in public spaces in order to reduce abuse and ensure unobstructed, safe and public access.
In the absence of satisfactory action from the authorities, the activists and residents warned that they will have no choice but to continue carrying out further direct actions.
The groups that participated in the action are:
Moviment Graffitti
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar
Residenti Melliħin
Għaqda Residenti Slimiżi
Residenti Beltin
Marsaskala Residents Network
Residenti San Pawl il-Baħar
DB group reacts
In reaction, a Db group spokesman said: “Singling out db Group’s restaurant in Mellieha is simply an attempt to influence today’s planning decision. The restaurant that was criticised by Moviment Graffitti is one of several restaurants serving patrons in the Mellieha piazza. When it opened last summer, the restaurant already had tables and chairs clearance from the Lands department. db Group’s planning application to extend the tables and chairs area is scheduled to be decided today and is recommended for approval. db Group is not receiving or expecting any special treatment. It must be noted that like all the other restaurants in the area, it has an agreement to clear the tables and chairs during religious festivities.”