The Nationalist Party has said that the government should not be giving its consent to an illegal development, as it commented on a restaurant proposed for the Ta’ Xbiex promenade, which the courts have declared illegal.

“Despite the Court being clear and categorical that the development permit for a restaurant on the Ta’ Xbiex Promenade had been issued illegally and in breach of planning policies, the Government has persisted in maintaining its consent for a café to be developed on public land,” the PN said in a statement.

The PN condemns this conduct by the Government in the Capitainerie case at Ta’ Xbiex. “It is yet another example of how the Labour Government is led by the nose by the interests of the few, rather than by the public interest,” the party said.

It continued that instead of withdrawing its consent for this development, respecting the Court ruling, and ensuring that public land is restored for public use, the Planning Authority – with the approval of the Lands Authority – has accepted an application that attempts to bypass the Court’s decision to annul the permit.

“The new application causes the same damage to this open space and is essentially identical to the previous one, save for a change of applicant names, architect, and the substitution of a café in place of a restaurant,” the party said.

“The Government is therefore complicit in undermining Court judgments. This not only erodes trust in a fair and transparent process but also confirms that the Government is intent on depriving citizens of the protection offered by the Courts,” it continued.

The PN recalled the recommendations of the Public Inquiry into the death of Jean Paul Sofia, which highlighted the urgent need for institutions with real accountability to safeguard the public interest. Instead, the Lands Authority has given its consent to an application that runs contrary to this very interest. The Lands Authority must fulfil its duty and refrain from being part of a cover-up that legitimises illegalities, the party said.

“Public land belongs to the people. The Partit Nazzjonalista calls on the Government to lead by example and ensure that the Ta’ Xbiex promenade is restored for families, rather than exploited for the commercial interests of a few,” the PN said.

The PN insisted that Court judgments must be respected and that the Government cannot be complicit in circumventing them. The PN said it will continue to press for the law to be observed, for the Lands Authority to fulfil its obligations, and for the people to regain access to the spaces that are rightfully theirs.

The statement was signed by PN MPs Stanley Zammit and Rebekah Borg, who are the party’s Shadow Minister for Planning and Lands and Shadow Minister for the Environment respectively.