The owners of a bumping cars facility and trampoline at Buġibba say they cannot operate for the second summer running because of government failings.

In a judicial protest, Joseph and Miriam Lia said they had been operating their business for the past 25 years. They said they had effectively been stopped from running their business because of the water park and the new aquarium nearby.

In fact, the last time they operated was in 2011 and, although they had obtained the necessary permits from the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, the following summer they were stopped by the court from opening for business in a case instituted by the Land Department because of the building of the water park.

They said they had been offered an alternative site but this was too small to take their equipment.

The previous Administration had promised them a solution, so in preparation for this summer, they said they identified another piece of land and filled the applications for the necessary permits.

The Mepa permit was granted after the Land Department did not make any submissions on the application, the owners said, adding that the department then refused to issue an encroachment permit arguing it had not been given the opportunity to voice its concerns. The department said the Government had to observe an agreement whereby no other business could be operated within 50 metres of the new aquarium.

The owners demanded a solution and said they were holding the department liable for any damages.