Hamrun kiosk set to carve parking spaces from square

The Planning Directorate is recommending the approval of a planning application proposing an extension to a kiosk in Pjazza San Pawl in Hamrun, despite clear deviations from policies regulating kiosks but on Wednesday the Environment Planning Commission has ordered the architect to revise plans to accomodate policy.

But the application also foresees the formation of a layby, where up to four cars can park temporarily in front of the extended kiosk.  The commission has not objected to this but has insisted that these parking spaces "shall serve the general public."

The Planning Authority will take a final decision on 11 July.

The proposed layby is carved out of the existing public square, taking an area presently occupied by planters.

The new kiosk will be 3.6 metres high and eight metres long and will be cladded in wood.

The kiosk was originally rebuilt following a permit issued in 1997. The permit also allowed the owner to set tables on part of the square.

According to the case officer report the proposal is 12 square metres in excess of the allowable floor space set by the policy regulating kiosk developments. But this is considered to be “an adequate and allowable exception when considering the area of the piazza, and also when considering similar developments”.

The new kiosk will be 3.6 metres high and eight metres long and will be cladded in wood

A decision on this permit was to be taken on Wednesday but the Environment and Planning Comission has postponed the decision to 11 July and has asked the architect to upload fresh drawings to limit the size of the kiosk to 20sq.m or to the existing size, and reduce the area of the tables to what was permitted and on the same site.

Although the policy sets a floor space limit to 20 sq.m the proposed scale of the kiosk was deemed acceptable “since it lies within a large urban open space, is similar in scale and size to other kiosk type developments within public gardens, and will not be incongruous in the context of its surroundings”.

According to the case officer the proposal seeks to provide “a contemporary design for this location, acting as a landmark within Hamrun’s public open space in particular, and more generically to the urban fabric as a whole”. The proposed design is described as being  “distinctive enough to provide added interest that can contribute to the creation of a new local landmark”.

The proposed height of the kiosk is also deemed to exceed “the maximum stipulated by the policy”. 

However, the case officer insists that the “proportion of the kiosk is well thought out and respects the human scale, with its varying roof line allowing for a gradual increase in height rather than a fixed high structure, which additionally adds interest to the design itself”.

The case officer also notes that the policy regulating Outdoor Catering Areas on Public Open Spaces, clearly states that outdoor catering areas related to kiosks are expressly prohibited. 

However, the proposal involves only the shifting of approved tables and chairs to a different area. The approved area, and a 25 sq.m outside table area were already allowed in the permit issued in 1997.

According to the case officer “the relevant authorities find no objection for the formation of a layby for parking spaces, placing of tables and chairs and removal of planter”.

While the Hamrun local council approved the application, PN councillors Antonello Cuschieri, Efrem Buttiġieġ and Louise Portelli objected 

The councillors insisted that while they support the embellishment of the existing kiosk they are opposed to the creation of a parking layby, which will be carved away from the garden: “A project proposed by a private individual should not be allowed to use public land.”

The three councillors also noted that the project would create more congestion, as it would increase the turnover of traffic in the zone, adding that the congestion problem should be addressed by better enforcement and not by creating parking spaces in front of the kiosk.