Pavement extensions

Following one complaint in The Times (May 28) and two complaints in next day's The Sunday Times, I felt that I had to add my two cents' worth.

I have written on several occasions to St Paul's Bay local council asking them not to extend the pavement in front of Rookies Bar and Grill of Triq l-Isponoz, Bugibba, that lies on the ground floor of our apartment block. This was on the recommendation of the council secretary.

I also copied the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Councils Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, MP Michael Gonzi, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and the Ombudsman. I also sent a letter of protest through my lawyer and had a warrant of prohibitory injunction issued against the St Paul's Bay local council. I have the backing of three other apartment owners who are all against the proposed pavement extension and who have complained to the local council.

Should the pavement be extended, a number of parking places will be lost, the entrance to our apartments will be obstructed by clients of the bar, noise from patrons drinking outside will continue into the early hours of the morning and as a consequence, the value of our property will be considerably reduced.

At the moment, bricks are being placed in parking bays outside the bar to stop cars from parking. These are replaced by chairs and tables in the afternoon going on to the early hours of the morning when once again the bricks come out to reserve the spaces.

I hope our complaints will not fall on deaf ears and that common sense will prevail on this hot topic.