Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, together with a community of Cospicua residents, yesterday "succeeded in saving the roof of the Cospicua public library from being taken over by a café," the NGO said in a statement.

"After many objections from FAA and the neighbouring residents, the lengthy hearing by the Planning Commission was concluded with the withdrawal of the planning application by the applicant."

FAA objected to the title of ownership of the roof, since it said no information was made available to the public about an agreement allegedly made between the Lands Authority and the privately business. FAA maintains that such public spaces cannot simply be given away by Lands Authority to the detriment of the community. Further alleged policy breaches highlighted by FAA include the library's location within the UCA, where FAA maintains that the strictly residential nature and character of the location must be protected at all costs, a statement by the NGO read.

"Allowing cafeteria operations would lead to unwanted noise and disturbance for the 27 bedrooms and living rooms of the private residences surrounding this low-level library roof."

FAA condemned the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage for approving this application.

"The public Library of Cospicua is situated at the lower end of Triq L'Oratorju, which already has a desperate short-fall of parking spaces. Allowing the operation of a cafeteria would exacerbate the problem enormously since not only is an influx of patrons to be expected, but also a huge increase in delivery vans and trucks."

"Currently parents wait on this public open space for the arrival of their children from St Francis and other schools, since the terrace offers a safe space off the road for children to play. Two old benches had formerly located on the open library roof space have been removed in recent years, therefore with the residents, FAA will now lobby the Cospicua Local Council to set up new benches, together with much needed urban greening," the NGO said.

 FAA said that this case shows how NGOs and residents working together can succeed in protecting the quality of life of their locality, and thanked the residents of this Cospicua community for their strong support.

"FAA is relieved that the Planning Commission has given the well-being and quality of life of an Urban Village Core priority over the commercial interests of a private business, thereby ensuring that a public open space is safeguarded for the residents."