Keeping Sliema residents informed

The Times (November 9) has reported that the court case relating to the installation of an LPG tank in a residential area has been put off until next year. Much less attention has been given to the request by the Hotel Fortina, which is adjacent to Tigné Point shopping centre and within a residential area, to install an LPG tank; PA/4505/10 published last Saturday. The public consultation period for this ended on Sunday.

It is not clear if there is a Malta Environment and Planning Authority policy yet for deciding such development applications; surely, the criteria on what is allowable and how LPG tanks are to be made safe should be published and available in the interests of all parties.

This highlights that citizens still lack any convenient way of monitoring applications that may impact them due to the delays in implementing the Mepa reform.

Nevertheless, thanks to the Sliema Residents’ Association (SRA), Sliema residents are able to log on to www.sra.org.mt/local_planning to see a list of the latest planning applications for their area each week. Residents who enrol with the SRA can opt to receive via e-mail notices of developments and events related to their neighbourhood. Apply online or write to SRA, PO Box 66, Sliema.

The SRA seeks to work with Mepa to ensure the public consultation process functions in a transparent, constructive manner, since construction is the name of the game in Sliema.