Road Devil’s umbrellas get permit

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority’s Environment Planning Commission has disregarded the advice of the Planning Directorate to refuse a permit for four 3.7 metre high umbrellas and underlying chairs and tables next to the kiosk Road Devil. The umbrellas and chairs are in place.

The Planning Directorate advised a refusal, insisting that the development obstructed the public enjoyment of the Ghar id-Dud promenade and thus was in breach of the Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development (SPED). The size of the four canvas umbrellas was considered excessive by the Planning Directorate.  

The Sliema council had also objected to the development, describing it as a “loss of valuable public space”.

But the owner, Anthony Camilleri, who presently occupies 63 square metres of land was asked to limit the floor space area for the outside seating to 52 square metres and to delineate the boundary of the kiosk with removable planters

Architect Robert Musumeci, who also serves as planning advisor to the government, represented Camilleri.

The EPC justified overturning the recommendation of the case officer to refuse the permit, arguing that two other kiosks in the area had been granted similar permits in the past. 

The Malta Tourism Authority had called for the approval of a master plan for the area to set clear limits to the number of chairs and tables in the area.

Instead of waiting for the formulation of such a plan, the MEPA imposed a condition stating that “in the event of the implementation of any Master Plan for the area, the outside seating and umbrellas shall be removed without any rights of compensation to applicant”. 

The EPC argued that the proposed seating area would have a minimum effect on the pedestrian movement and enjoyment of the promenade and thus was considered in line with objective 1 of the SPED. 

While the case officer argued against approving the permit because the outside catering area is of a permanent nature, the EPC concluded that this was not the case since the tables, chairs and umbrellas can be removed. 

MEPA is currently proposing a policy which bans new kiosks from having tables and chairs.