Residents' associations from Sliema, Valletta and Marsaskala have urged the authorities to strictly enforce laws regulating the use of public space in the aftermath of Storm Harry, warning against compensating establishments that had illegally occupied public land.

In a joint statement, the Sliema Residents Association, Residenti Beltin and the Marsaskala Residents Network expressed solidarity with homeowners and businesses that suffered damage during the storm and welcomed the government's announcement that compensation would be offered to those affected.

However, the groups voiced concern about the inclusion of outdoor furniture among the items eligible for compensation, noting that it was unclear whether establishments that had installed tables and chairs without the required permits would also benefit from the scheme.

The residents' associations said the storm highlighted the widespread encroachment on public open spaces over the years. While acknowledging that additional outdoor areas were temporarily granted to establishments during the COVID-19 pandemic, they stressed that these exceptional measures should have been reversed long ago, with public spaces restored to their original use.

They called on the Lands Department, the Planning Authority and the Malta Tourism Authority to enforce public domain legislation, which prohibits public land from being sold, transferred, granted under concession or used for commercial purposes. The legislation applies to areas including coastal zones, public roads, squares, streets, alleys, parks, ecologically sensitive areas and sites of cultural or historical importance.

In response to the damage caused by the storm, the groups proposed a transparent exercise to install ground markers and clearly define the boundaries of all permitted outdoor areas, in order to identify and address illegal encroachments.

As businesses begin reinstalling outdoor facilities following the storm, the residents' associations insisted that no further encroachment into public space should be allowed. They warned that compensating establishments that had unlawfully occupied public land would undermine the public interest.

Public spaces, they said, are a shared national asset that must be protected for residents, visitors and compliant businesses, stressing the need for effective regulation and enforcement to balance commercial activity with the public's right to accessible and orderly open spaces.