The Mepa board divided into seven against four when it came to approving an application by Capua Palace to turn some offices at Capua to offices servicing the Victoria Hotel.

The application had already been discussed by the board some weeks ago but was left pending to iron out some issues that had arisen.

One issue that was clarified yesterday regarded the holding of public events in the main hall. Concern had been expressed that even what were described as ‘small weddings’ would put intolerable parking pressure on the neighbourhood.

So the applicants came back and agreed that only events linked to conferences taking place in the palace would be allowed.

But the parking issue continued to dominate the discussion.

The applicant had objected to a Commuted Parking Fund in the conditions for approval. One issue regarded the parking for the use of the open cafeteria: some board members argued that  originally the cafeteria was meant to be for the service of relatives with people at Capua Hospital.

The applicant submitted a report that stated that between 7 and 8pm, only 70 to 90 parking spaces were utilized in teh huge underground carpark that services the Victoria Hotel, Capua (now St James) Hospital and the Palace Hotel. There is ample space for parking, the applicant said.

But this was not the opinion of Timmy Gambin, board member, who warned that the lack of proper parking provision will continue to impact on an area where parking is at a premium.

Mr Gambin, along with other board members including deputy chairman Franco Montesin and Victor Axiaq, then voted against.