The government is still considering plans to pedestrianise the area in front of Auberge de Castille, known as Castille Place, and the landscaping of the whole area is still wide open for discussion.

A proposal to remove the trees in the area completely was shelved after coming under fire from several quarters while the government said it would listen to suggestions. Some have argued that the large trees planted right in front of Castille are obstructing the view of one of the capital's most important monuments and should be replaced by more suitable vegetation.

The Times obtained pictures from previous plans drawn up by the Works Division which show how Castille would look with neatly pruned trees and with no trees at all.

The designs for the pedestrianisation of Castille Place, made public some weeks ago, were generally met with disapproval, although the debate is still raging in this paper's letters pages. A recent timesofmalta.com poll showed that a large majority of the respondents were against the trees being removed.