Planning Authority officials removed illegally laid paving outside developer Carlo Stivala's Piccolo Padre restaurant on the Sliema Strand early on Tuesday morning.

The early-morning action comes after weeks of intense public debate surrounding an outdoor dining setup built on public land without authorisation. The structures, installed outside the restaurant at the Centric Hotel, included a metal-framed retractable awning, perimeter planters, outdoor furniture, and paving extending over the pavement and into the carriageway.

On 2 October, the Planning Authority issued enforcement notice EC/00122/26 targeting the unauthorized works due to concerns over pedestrian obstruction, public land misuse, and road safety. While the canopy was taken down on 6 October following direct authority action and activist pressure, the paving remained and outdoor seating was soon restored to the site.

Pressure continued to mount on 14 October when the Lands Authority issued a 30-day eviction notice ordering Stivala to vacate the public space. Although Stivala applied for an encroachment concession on 6 October, the Lands Authority clarified that no concession can be granted without active development permission from the Planning Authority.

The situation sparked widespread outrage among local resident groups, the Sliema Local Council, and environmental advocates, including Moviment Graffitti, who threatened direct action if the site was not completely cleared. A coalition of 18 organizations also called on officials to fully restore the area to its original condition and prevent retrospective planning permits from legitimizing the unlawful occupation.