The operator of a restaurant housed in an 18th century villa, overlooking Balluta Bay, has been instructed to remove a temporary marquee put up for a meal organised for 60 people on the terrace next week.

A spokesman for the Malta Environment and Planning Authority said the marquee required a fast-track permit, known as a development notification order.

However, The Villa Brasserie operator, Mario Hammett, said that, according to advice given by his architect, the marquee, rented on the request of the organiser, did not require a permit as it was a temporary structure and was covered by his permit to operate the restaurant.

He insisted it was permissible because it was a temporary structure that would remain in place for under 30 days. Moreover, the six conditions to place such a structure were also satisfied. He said he planned to remove the marquee after the meal.

The Mepa spokesman explained that even if the operators had applied for a permit, it would have been turned down because the site already had a pending enforcement notice over illegal additions it had made.

He said windbreakers placed on site, wooden decking and a sign on the façade were not covered by a permit. The operator said they were in the process of contesting this.

Mepa has ordered the owners to remove the marquee immediately. If they fail to do so, the spokesman said, the structure would be added to the pending enforcement notice of the site.

Villa Cassar Torreggiani, a scheduled property which houses The Villa Brasserie, has been at the centre of a controversy that ended up in court after neighbours complained about excessive noise during events, including parties and weddings on the terrace.