Friday, 8th August 2008
Marsalforn operators complain of double standards in enforcement
What annoys operators most is the feeling that two weigths and two measures are applied.
Marsalforn restaurant owners have complained of double standards when it comes to enforcement in their locality: While street furniture not covered by an encroachment permit was removed shortly after a written warning, glaring illegal structures have been in place for ages.
Abusive structures in the popular seaside village remain under the threat of enforcement orders or orders for direct action which, however, never seem to be carried through.
The cases include a Mepa direct order on a "platform and non-solid screen and canopy for shelter" constructed some years ago by the Hotel Calypso. An application has now been filed by the hotel for sanctioning.
An enforcement order has also been issued for a concrete platform and ramp and stairs/ramp (referred to direct action) built without a permit at Il-Menqa, an aluminium structure on a pavement without a permit, and variations in internal and external layouts of a building from that approved in the permit, among other infringements.
Enforcement action was taken recently against non-compliant bars and restaurants in Marsalforn as well as in Xlendi when the authorities physically removed illegal street furniture, including plants, from public areas.
A few weeks ago similar enforcement action was taken at establishments along the Strand and Tignè seafront in Sliema. Officials even returned some days later to ensure that the furniture had not been put back in place.
A Marsalforn restaurant owner who preferred not to be named said he did not have an issue with the action, taken by the Malta Tourism Authority, the Lands Department and police officers some days ago, to remove the street furniture, or even with its timing at the peak of the season. His main gripe was the fact that the authorities sprung into action where owners breached their encroachment permits but then were so slow to act on much more serious infringements. What annoys operators most is the feeling that two weights and two measures are applied when dealing with large and small establishments, he said.
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Comments
Let the Authorities allow more tables per establishment in Gozo! Everbody wins then!
So, who gained from the Authority's actions? No one... One must realise once and for all that Gozo in NOT Sliema! Sliema is bustling with activity all year round, whereas M'forn and Xlendi do business in Summer only! I believe it only logical that operators try to do well in the Summer months before the long hibernation...even if that means some more tables than stricltly permitted!
No one gained, since now it is nearly impossible to find a table to dine or take a drink in Xlendi and M'forn! Tourists, Maltese and locals simply stroll by the six- or eight-tabled restaurants and bars, and simply move on, since it practically takes less than sixteen people to fill all tables!
So let's please treat Gozo differently than Malta. Let the Authorities allow more tables per establishment in Gozo! Everbody wins then!
In M'scala one particluar restaurant has even surrounded a public stairs by chairs and tables and one has to ask patrons to make space in order to be able to use these stairs.
Mr. Calleja please wake up.
Beaches are public property for use by everyone not to be given to some blue-eyed boys to make money from.
Pavements are supposed to be for people to walk safely on, not for restauranteurs and hotels to use as part of their property.
Let's get public property back to the public not to private operators.
Why should twenty or more beds be left on the beach, which already is too small to accommodate swimmers. The area taken by these sun beds accounts for a third of the area.
The Zebbug local council seems to agree with this practice since so far, following several complaints, it has done nothing about it!!
Also boats regularly enter the swimmers zone with no one in authority ever blinking an eye lid!!
Swimmers at this beach are disgusted at this attitude.