Stephen Peters complained of the short-sighted decisions which have led to the "soul of the village (Xagħra) being ripped apart" (December 1). It appears that this is the latest episode in the Land Department's crusade against illegal encroachment on government property by businesses, particularly restaurants and bars.

It cannot be denied that for many years some establishments have extended their service areas to the detriment of pedestrians and, sometimes, of vehicles. It is unacceptable for pedestrians to be forced to walk in the road because pavements are blocked by tables and chairs.

It is equally unacceptable for the highway to be narrowed by such equipment with the result that traffic is impeded. Yet the authorities' actions appear to be overly bureaucratic, divorced from common sense and discriminatory.

Bureaucratic because it appears that in order to place tables and chairs outside (and even to embellish by way of plant pots) requires the permission from three authorities - MTA, Land Department and Mepa. A bar in Victoria had a permit from MTA for a couple of tables outside its premises. It was forced to remove them in the latest blitz as it did not have another permit from the Land Department.

Surely it is not beyond the wit of government to have a "one-stop shop" for businesses - after all the declared aim of the present administration is to cut red tape for SMEs.

In Marsalforn, establishments which have permits for tables and chairs to be placed outside have been told to remove awnings and to replace them by umbrellas.

There is no question of impeding passage as the main pedestrian and vehicular passageways are unaffected.

Nor are the awnings unattractive and most enhance the seafront.

Certainly they provide more adequate shelter from inclement weather than umbrellas and, in particular, allow establishments to provide comfort and a pleasant ambiance even in the winter months.

Without them many restaurants would have to close for a good part of the year as they are not large enough to provide an adequate living without using outside areas.

Furthermore, even an intellectually challenged public official ought to realise that umbrellas on a seafront are likely to be subject to strong winds and might well cause injury if blown over.

Yet I am led to believe that, where permits have been applied for, they not only take a ridiculous time to process but are refused on the ground that awnings are permanent structures.

The authorities appear to be inconsistent. Beside some of the Marsalforn restaurants, and on similar "public land", are a host of boats and trailers which have not been moved.

On any evening many cars park away from the allocated parking spaces to the detriment of other vehicles and, more importantly, to pedestrians.

Yet no action is taken. A Marsalforn hotel which has a permanent awning-like structure has reportedly been allowed to keep it after threatening to close and put staff out of work.

Thus there appears to be discrimination against the small businessman - an example, it seems, of two weights and two measures.

Surely some commonsense solution must be possible which allows small establishments to provide a comfortable and pleasant service to both tourists and locals.

One would think that the Minister for Tourism, rightly concerned about the impact of global recession and the need to encourage tourists to return, together with the Minister for Gozo who recently outlined a vision for enhancing the attractions of Marsalforn and Xlendi, Gozo's premier resorts, might be persuaded to assist in finding an equitable and sensible way forward.

The need is for all government departments to pull on the same rope - preferably in the same direction.