Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1407680
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 SEPTEMBER 2021 8 NEWS JAMES DEBONO THE Planning Authority issued 67 permits for Valletta catering establishments to place tables and chairs out for al fresco din- ing since 2016, a MaltaToday probe of permits shows. The largest number of permits was issued in 2017, when a re- cord 23 requests were permit- ted. Since 2016, the PA has re- ceived 84 applications for the placing of outdoors chairs and tables, compared to just 38 be- tween 1994 and 2016. The probe is limited to appli- cations for the placing of 'tables and chairs' and excludes other terminology that could be used in the request for permits. It may also include changes to permits of establishments which already had outside dining platforms or the sanctioning of similar dining areas. The increase in the number of applications and approvals came in the wake of the 2015 policy allowing restaurants to set up platforms on kerb-sides, in a way that pavements are not directly obstructed by chairs and tables. The policy increased restau- rant covers and created a more uniform regulatory process in- stead of the more discretionary regime prevailing before 2015. But while al fresco dining con- tributed to a livelier atmosphere in a capital city that until a few years ago was still seen as a ghost town at night, the expansion of platforms in Valletta's residen- tial areas has angered residents who must bear noise and clutter and the loss of parking spaces. Over the past week the Val- letta local council protested the issue of a permit for a 44sq.m platform for 16 tables outside the AX group's Rosselli hotel. The platform is exceptionally large even by the standard set by other platforms approved in the past years. The application was present- ed by Denise Micallef Xuereb, a vice-president of the Malta Developers Association, but it was also endorsed by the Lands Authority and Transport Malta and approved on 6 August. It was erected before the expiry of the mandatory 30-day peri- od between the decision and the issue of the permit, meant to give any objector the chance to appeal. The decision was still posted on 1 September – a day after the platform was erected. The case officer had recom- mended approval because the tables and chairs platform con- formed to the policy regulating outdoor catering areas: it re- stricts such areas to one-third of the road's width in pedes- trianised areas like Merchants' Street. The street is approximately 10.5m, while the Rosselli plat- form is 3.8m, a minimal devia- tion of 30cm... the platform even had the blessing of the Superin- tendence for Cultural Heritage which presented no objection at planning process. The platform will result in a shortfall of four car parking spaces that must be compensat- ed to the tune of €4,192 for each space lost, deposited to the PA's community parking scheme. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Valletta al fresco: nearly 70 'dining areas' approved since 2016 122 requests for outdoor tables and chairs, 84 of which since 2015 rules for al fresco platforms Applications submitted for chairs and tables in Valletta Apprv.* Rfsd* '94- 2016 38 2016 17 8 1 2017 23 20 4 2018 13 19 5 2019 15 10 3 2020 10 10 4 2021- 6 Total 122 67 17 *Approvals and refusals in a giv- en year do not conform with the number of applications received in the same year but not yet as- sessed Over the past week the Valletta local council protested the issue of a permit for a 44sq.m platform for 16 tables outside the AX group's Rosselli hotel. The platform is exceptionally large even by the standard set by other platforms approved in the past years JAMES DEBONO AX Holdings is planning a makeover of the Qawra prom- enade where the hotel group's lido is located. The group is seeking the green light for an extensive under- ground car park for 309 cars, and the replacement of the lido with new restaurants, public spaces, shopping malls and more ex- tensive pool facilities. AX says it will provide "a wider promenade walk" and the and the upgrading of the open space in front of its Sunny Coast Hotel. Curiously, the proposal is pre- sented in two distinct applica- tions: one requesting the param- eters for the development of the entire site occupied by the lidos belonging to the Sunny Coast Hotel, Luzzu, and the Seashells Resort; and then a full planning application limited to the Sea- shells Resort lido. While retaining the primary use of the site "as ancillary func- tions to the hotels", the site will make way for the large parking space, retail shops, a conference centre, a gym, spa and wellness centre, play areas for kids, and restaurants, all set within "pe- destrianized urban spaces at street level". Plans also envisage more extensive pool and deck- ing areas and terraces. AX Holdings do not own the entire 13,000sq.m site but have "a title of lease". No part of the site is government-owned but AX sas they are carrying out the works "under a scheme of a gov- ernment entity." The lido was the subject of controversy back in the 1990s; all enforcement cases in the ar- ea were dropped in subsequent years when illegalities were re- moved. But in August 2013 that CEO Angelo Xuereb requested the regularisation of the lido, two restaurants, two bars, spa, dive centre and a lotto office, in a clear indication that these de- viated from previously issued permits. The application to sanction the existing develop- ment was only validated in 2016, but was later withdrawn by AX Holdings. The existing Suncrest Hotel also wants its receded top floor replaced with two full storeys and an additional two, receded storeys – a total of 166 guest rooms – raising the height of the hotel from eight to 11 storeys. The PA's internal design advi- sory panel wants the developers to present photomontages of the proposed development from different viewpoints as well as aerial views. Qawra: AX plans malls and car park