Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar welcomes the Planning Authority’s refusal to legitimise the abusive encroachment of the Cucina Pulita kiosk at the Sliema Strand promenade.

The original abusive permit to place tables and chairs there was granted in spite of the provision that "Outdoor Catering Areas contiguous and related to kiosks shall be expressly prohibited", however the kiosk was now requesting to expand to  85m2  when its latest abusive extension to the dining areas brings the site up to 186m2, more than twice that request.

The plan submitted by Architect Stephen Psaila includes gross discrepancies, showing the remaining public promenade  as twice as wide as it actually is, and showing a free passage on the seaward side, when it is now blocked by tables. The restaurant has even occupied the sea wall with seating, as seen in the photos.

What's more the North Harbours Local Plan stipulates: "The promenade spanning from St. George’s Bay to Pieta` will be protected and upgraded. In particular, MEPA will ensure that the following criteria will be strictly adhered to: 

i. The continuity of the promenade will not be interrupted in any way;

ii. The promenade will be maintained at a sufficient width that is necessary to allow uninterrupted heavy pedestrian flows throughout its length;

iii. Temporary and permanent structures, and the placing of tables and chairs, will not be allowed where these will compromise the use of the promenade by interrupting heavy pedestrian flows;

In spite of the fact that it was reported in the media over a year ago Perit Stephen Psaila, claimed not to be aware of the fact that the kiosk catering area had abusively more than doubled its original encroachment. The plans submitted by Perit Stephen Psaila were misrepresentations of what is presently on site and would have misled the Planning Authority if objectors had not highlighted the gross discrepancies. FAA asks what disciplinary action is to be taken by the Chamber of Architects in this and similar cases.

FAA maintained that enforcement action needs to be taken against all the abusive take-overs of public pavements, promenades and parking spaces. In many areas, including Gzira, Marsascala, Marsalforn and Xlendi, the pavements and promenades have been usurped completely, making it difficult to pass with a stroller, let alone a wheelchair, while trees at Xlendi and Marsalforn have been destroyed in order to squeeze in extra tables!

This trend has to be reversed, action against abuse needs to be taken, extra encroachments given due to Covid reversed, and no more such permits issued. It is time to prioritise the public's right to a decent quality of life over the profits of the few.