TMID Editorial: When business interests are given more importance than the interests of residents

The need to strike a balance between the interests of residents and that of local businesses is something often spoken about in Malta. Sadly, too often are the interests of residents ignored or not given enough importance. One can see a very clear ex

By: independent.com.mt

Aug 31 2024
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TMID Editorial: When business

The need to strike a balance between the interests of residents and that of local businesses is something often spoken about in Malta.

Sadly, too often are the interests of residents ignored or not given enough importance.

One can see a very clear example of this happening in Mellieha. The Malta Tourism Authority filed a planning application regarding the locality’s main square. The application is to organise tables and chairs and propose additional areas for tables and chairs at Misrah il-Parrocca.

The proposal would mean that, effectively, many parking spaces in the road could be lost. Where exactly would that leave the residents of the area? One would imagine that, over the years, people living there would seek to move out, instead selling their property for more restaurants to pop up. How is that fair to residents exactly? Isn’t this putting the interests of business above the interests of residents? This isn’t a case of pedestrianizing an area to benefit residents. It is not creating green space, but is a case of removing parking used by residents to make way for tables and chairs belonging to private businesses.

The proposal has been met with backlash. Many objections have been filed so far. PN MP Robert Cutajar has insisted that the Malta Tourism Authority withdraw its application, and said that there should be a widespread consultation on the issue.

MaltaToday quoted a spokesperson for the Tourism Ministry as saying that the aim of the application is not meant to allow present establishments to take over existing residents’ parking spaces, but rather that the masterplan is meant to ensure that any future application for chairs and tables that are filed by any new catering establishment replacing an existing residence is limited to the areas identified in the block plan. But wouldn’t it be better to ensure that the area is made better for residents instead? Of course it would.

This is but one example of times when business interests are placed above those of residents. For example there is the noise that Valletta residents have to deal with due to regulations that the government had introduced.

Then there is the issue of the authorities being reactionary rather than proactive. For example, recently there was the news that an ambulance was delayed in Valletta due to tables and chairs being in the way. The authorities took action after this happened. In Victoria, a square was packed with tables and chairs to the point where various organisations organised a press conference about it. The authorities then took action. But with all due respect, if catering establishments are encroaching like this it means that the authorities are not conducting enough inspections to ensure that such issues do not arise in the first place. Acting when issues pop up is not enough.

This is not to mention the interests of existing residents being ignored when it comes to massive scale developments in their vicinity.