Sliema restaurant removes tables and chairs, but platform remains

The Sliema restaurant Piccolo Padre has removed its tables and chairs, but the platform outside near the pavement remains.

On Thursday evening, MaltaToday went on site and, despite enforcement action by the Planning Authority (PA) and an eviction notice from the Lands Authority, the platform installed on public land adjacent to the pavement remains.

The Lands Authority instructed developer Carlo Stivala on Tuesday to clear the illegally occupied stretch of public land within 30 days, stating that the land was public property and that he had neither title nor a permit to occupy it.

The notice requires Stivala to vacate the land and remove any structures or objects placed there. Under the Lands Act, the authority may set an eviction period of between 30 and 90 days (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)

The notice requires Stivala to vacate the land and remove any structures or objects placed there. Under the Lands Act, the authority may set an eviction period of between 30 and 90 days.

The latest development follows the removal of an illegal dining structure outside the restaurant earlier this month, after the PA issued enforcement notice EC/00122/26 over development at 4 and 5 Triq il-Lunzjata, at the corner with 20 and 21 ix-Xatt.

The case concerns a retractable awning that projected onto the pavement and partly over the carriageway, supported by a pillar within the road. The structure, which housed an outdoor dining area, was removed days after it was erected.

The structure had sparked anger among residents and non-governmental organisations when it was erected earlier this month (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)

The structure had sparked anger among residents and non-governmental organisations when it was erected earlier this month.

Moviment Graffitti threatened direct action unless the commercial activity beneath the structure stopped immediately and the structure was removed within a week.

The Sliema Residents Association also called for urgent action, alleging that the awning covered the full width of the pavement and that workers had cemented paving stones extending onto the road.