Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/800760
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 19 MARCH 2017 12 News JAMES DEBONO THE Marsaskala local council has approved a motion calling on the parliamentary secretary for lands, Deborah Schembri to suspend rules introduced in 2015 regulat- ing outside catering establish- ments in public spaces. The motion, proposed by Na- tionalist councillor John Baptist Camilleri, and seconded by Labour mayor Mario Calleja, refers to the increase in applications by restau- rants to place tables and chairs outside, taking up more public parking spaces. The council referred to the issue of a permit for a restaurant, which was allowed to take two parking spaces to put up four tables. This has prompted other shops to apply for the same treatment. "Until a solution is found to the locality's parking problems no such permits should be issued," the councillors said. In February, the Sliema local council had also written to Debo- rah Schembri to request that she suspend all pending applications, until a sustainability study is car- ried out on the removal of parking spaces in residential streets. Sliema mayor Anthony Chircop warned that some of the restau- rant extensions are being built over parking spaces, adding to the town's already notorious parking problem. The problem stems from a recent policy aimed at encouraging café and restaurant owners to place ta- bles and chairs on platforms out- side their establishments. However, the Sliema council has accused the Planning Commis- sion of misinterpreting the policy – which states that the removal of parking spaces will be 'considered' – as allowing a blanket approval for all applicants. Since the policy was approved, 12 parking spaces have been removed through the granting of permits to five establishments by the Strand and Tower Road – including La Cuccagna, Table One, Black Gold, and the soon-to-be-opened Zebra Health Centre. Council stands up to 'al fresco' nightmare as restaurants take over parking spaces File photo: Local councils say planning policy is allowing restaurants to chop off parking spaces to place tables and chairs outside "Until a solution is found to the locality's parking problems no such permits should be issued"