Copyright timesofmalta
A court of appeal has confirmed a Planning Authority decision to issue a permit for a small outdoor catering area in Victoria. Welcoming the judgment, the PA said on Thursday this decision proved it was possible to strike a balance between business activity and public access in a heritage context. The court upheld the findings of the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal which ruled that the proposal, involving a limited number of tables and chairs outside Neolitik Kitchen and Lounge in Triq is-Suq, complied fully with the Outdoor Catering Areas Policy and respected both pedestrian safety and the urban character of the area. The court confirmed that the seating area was restricted to the front of the catering establishment, as required by Policy P17, and that a minimum pedestrian passage of 1.9 metres was maintained in line with national accessibility standards. “This case demonstrates the balance between supporting local business activity and safeguarding public access and heritage context,” the PA said in a statement. It added that the tribunal and the court both reaffirmed that while planning law ensures that development is compatible with policy and safety standards, any private property or ownership disputes must be handled separately through the civil courts. The PA said such a decision highlights how it is “applying planning and design policies fairly and transparently, ensuring that Gozo’s historic town centres remain lively, accessible, and respectful of their cultural identity”.
