From Mr A. Busuttil

I have written to the St Paul's Bay local council on several occasions asking them not to go ahead with the proposed pavement extension in front of Rookies Bar and Grill in Triq l-Isponoz, Bugibba, which occupies the ground floor of our apartment block. This was on the recommendation of the council secretary following my visit to their offices.

I sent copies to the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Councils Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, MP Michael Gonzi, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and the Ombudsman. I also sent a letter of protest through my lawyer and had a warrant of prohibitory injunction issued against the St Paul's Bay local council. I have the backing of three other apartment owners who are all against the proposed pavement extension and who have complained to the local council.

Should the pavement be extended, a number of parking places will be lost, the entrance to our apartments will be obstructed by bar patrons, noise from the punters drinking outside will continue into the early hours of the morning and as a consequence, the value of our property will be considerably reduced.

At the moment, bricks are being placed in parking bays outside the bar to prevent cars from parking. These are replaced by chairs and tables in the afternoon, which take up the spaces till the early hours of the morning, when once again the bricks come out to reserve said spaces.

I hope our complaints do not fall on deaf ears and that common sense will prevail.

Arthur Busuttil

MOSTA