Valletta risks being "hollowed out from within" if residents continue to be driven away by the city's rapid tourism growth, an NGO warned on Saturday as it protested plans for another outdoor catering area opposite the historic Ta' Ġieżu church.

Flimkien għal-Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) held a press conference to object to planning application PA/05005/26, which proposes converting a former art shop into an outdoor catering area with tables and chairs in a public open space.

The site is directly opposite the Grade 1 scheduled Ta' Ġieżu church.

FAA coordinator Astrid Vella said the application breached basic planning principles, including requirements for photomontages and an assessment of the site's context. She said there had been no proper street analysis despite the site being next to a scheduled heritage building and involving public land.

Vella also argued that outdoor catering rules should prevent approval where noise and odours would reduce residential amenity or threaten heritage and public buildings. She said the church already suffered from noise from nearby establishments.

Billy J McBee, a Valletta resident and founder of Residenti Beltin, said residents were not opposed to tourism but warned that Valletta's status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site demanded greater protection.

"We are against a city hollowed out from within," he said. "Save the residents, so that in doing so you save Valletta."

He complained of amplified music, restaurants obstructing pavements and accessibility, and anti-social behaviour affecting residents.

Karmenu Borg, representing Moviment Azzjoni Soċjali, said the proposal also carried historical significance as the street was associated with political figures including Enrico Mizzi and Manwel Dimech.

FAA environmental officer Benjamin Mifsud Scicluna said Valletta already had enough catering establishments, particularly those occupying public space.

Objections can be submitted by September 6 to [email protected], quoting PA/05005/26.