Gozo outlets again warned to respect encroachment conditions

Officials from the Lands Department returned to Marsalforn and Xlendi to again remove illegal street furniture from public areas, just a week after the same enforcement action was taken, The Times has learnt.

This time the tables, chairs and planters removed were seized and taken to a store where they will remain until establishment owners pay for the double enforcement action.

Non-compliant establishments were also served with a notice warning them that their encroachment permits will be withdrawn if they persist with the illegal action and do not abide by their permit conditions.

Earlier this month, various establishments in the Gozitan tourist centres were served with a formal notice giving them 15 days to comply with their encroachment permits and remove any excess street furniture from the way.

When the time elapsed, officials from the Malta Tourism Authority, the Lands Department and police officers carried out inspections and removed excess furniture.

However, the authorities were alerted that some establishments had put tables, chairs and planters back where they were in breach of their encroachment permits, the Director General-designate at the Government Property Division, Paul Miruzzi, said when contacted.

Officials conducted another inspection at the Marsalforn establishments on Wednesday and in Xlendi yesterday and served owners with a notice warning them that, next time round, their encroachment permits would be revoked.