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2 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 21 OCTOBER 2026 NEWS PA removes paving outside Stivala's Sliema restaurant after controversy PLANNING Authority officials removed paving outside de- veloper Carlo Stivala's Piccolo Padre restaurant on the Sliema Strand early on Tuesday morn- ing. The intervention follows weeks of controversy over an outdoor dining area erected on a section of the public pave- ment outside the restaurant, which forms part of the Centric Hotel on The Strand. The dispute centres on a met- al-framed canopy, tables and chairs, planters and paving in- stalled on public land without the necessary authorisation, according to the authorities. The works prompted concerns about pedestrian access, road safety and the commercial use of public space. On 2 October, the Planning Authority issued enforcement notice EC/00122/26, ordering the removal of the unauthorised structure and associated works. The notice covered a retracta- ble awning extending over the pavement and partly over the carriageway, a supporting pillar positioned within the road area, paving laid over part of the road surface and planters around the perimeter. The canopy was dismantled on 6 October following the author- ity's intervention and mounting pressure from campaigners. However, the paving and other elements of the outdoor dining area remained, while tables and chairs were subsequently re- turned to the site. The Lands Authority escalat- ed the matter on 14 October, serving Stivala with an eviction notice requiring him to vacate the occupied public land with- in 30 days. The notice stated that he had no title or permit authorising him to occupy the area and instructed him to re- move structures and objects placed there. The notice came after Stivala applied for an encroachment concession on 6 October, ac- cording to reports. The Lands Authority said such a conces- sion could only be issued if the Planning Authority granted the necessary development permis- sion. The controversy has drawn strong criticism from residents' associations and environmental organisations, which have ar- gued that the authorities must ensure the area is restored to its original state rather than al- lowing commercial activity to continue while permission is sought retrospectively. Moviment Graffitti threat- ened direct action unless the structure was removed and the area cleared. The Sliema Resi- dents Association and the local council also called for enforce- ment action, raising concerns that the installation obstructed pedestrians and created poten- tial hazards near a road junc- tion. On 13 October, a coalition of 18 organisations called on the authorities to remove all furniture and other additions from the site. The groups also demanded that any application for outdoor dining be assessed strictly under the relevant laws and planning policies. KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Planning Authority officials started demolishing Carlo Stivala's illegal concrete platform outside his Piccolo Padre restaurant in Sliema on Tuesday CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 Last week, PL CEO Ivan Falzon sent Gafà a letter warning him to adhere to the party's princi- ples or face being barred from its headquarters in Ħamrun. However, on Monday, Gafà posted a photo of himself at the party headquarters on Face- book. When asked whether the post amounted to a challenge to the party's position, Abela claimed he was unaware that Gafà had been at the headquarters on Monday, despite having spent the day there himself. Speaking to MaltaToday out- side parliament, Abela stressed that Falzon's letter was clear and "must be understood", warning that the party would have "no choice" but to bar Gafà from its headquarters if the attacks con- tinued. The prime minister explained that he had discussed the mat- ter with Falzon, reiterating that anyone engaging in personal attacks, including Abela him- self, would not be allowed to use party facilities. "It would be against our wishes, but we would have no choice," Abela told MaltaToday. Abela did not confirm whether he had spoken to Gafà directly about the matter. However, he said he had spo- ken to Bajada during last week's EU budget meetings and ex- pressed his full support for the young MEP, describing him as "one of the best the party has ever had." At the same time, Abela ac- knowledged Gafà's contribu- tions to Malta and the Labour Party, saying he had helped peo- ple in need. A Labour Party activist, Gafà was employed as a person of trust within the Office of the Prime Minister during Joseph Muscat's administration. How- ever, his employment at the OPM was terminated shortly af- ter Abela won the PL leadership race and became prime minister in January 2020. Despite no longer holding an official role within the party, Gafà has continued to use its fa- cilities in Ħamrun to meet peo- ple, both before and after the general election. Gafà is now a prominent La- bour blogger who has previ- ously directed hateful rhetoric at the family of murdered jour- nalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, repeated Russian state propa- ganda, and promoted anti-LG- BTIQ+ and anti-feminist views. Robert Abela defends Labour MEP Thomas Bajada following attacks by Neville Gafà Neville Gafa

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