An application for tables and chairs, with canopies at Piazza Tigne will have to be republished and go through the entire Mepa process, the Mepa board decided this morning.

Protests by residents of Tigne and neighbours of a restaurant in the Piazza pointed out that they never saw a Mepa notice, even if these should be handed out to immediate neighbours.

Then it turned out that the application said it regarded canopies and did not mention tables and chairs so people thought the canopies were to keep shop fronts in the shade.

Instead, they learned yesterday that the proposal aimed to create two eating areas outside in the open in the Piazza, one near the ramp leading from the Belvedere and the other across the way near the entrance from street level.

One space would cater for 56 covers and the other for 76. Both would be enclosed in lightweight canopies on metal frames.

The Directorate officer explained the application was brought up to board level because the board had so insisted but actually it could be solved with a simple DNO notification. The application was consequently examined in the light of the Tables and Chairs regulations and the board was asked to grant it.

But Dr Katia Mercieca on behalf of residents pointed out there is a court case on this issue which would have probably been solved were it not there was a change of judge that prolonged things.

The canopies, tables and chairs will be just an extension to the outlet in question. There are people whose bedroom is just three metres away and residents who live 50m away from Chop House are disturbed by the noise.

Perit Sammut Tagliaferro confirmed the application said it was about canopies and did not mention tables and chairs. Mepa chairman Austin Walker asked the Directorate to confirm this, which they did and there was agreement the notice was misleading. On Dr Ian Stafrace, Mepa’s CEO’s suggestion, the application will be republished and people will then be able to submit their objections. Mr Walker insisted that the site notice must reach the people living nearby.

A MIDI spokesman pointed out that the person living on top of the restaurant, who signed his contract recently, was informed he has a restaurant on the ground floor. He also added that the whole application did mention tables and chairs in the details of the application.