Gaffarena applies for kiosk on public land

Satiation is not in Marco Gaffarena’s dictionary: a shareholder in the now sanctioned illegally built petrol station in Qormi, and a noted beneficiary of government largesse in expropriation, apart from other business interests, he has also applied to construct a small 20 square metre kiosk in a strategic commercial location in Spinola, St Julian’s.

Constructing the proposed kiosk would involve the excavation of a basement under the footprint of the structure.

The kiosk from which the owner plans to sell snacks and drinks is being proposed on the public pavement near the former playground opposite the Hilton hotel.

The application, which is still being processed, was presented in September 2014. In the application Gaffarena states that the owner – the Lands Department – has been notified of this application.

Technically any individual can apply for development on public land if he or she informs the lands department of his or her intention to do so. 

The lands department can only decide on whether to allow the development after MEPA issues the permit.  

The Government Property Division’s website says that if you are interested in placing a mobile kiosk on a government public space “you should first seek MEPA’s approval for the mobile kiosk. If this is granted then GPD will evaluate your request and may grant you a permit”.

Initially Gaffarena had also applied to develop a kiosk in Spinola bay itself but this application was later withdrawn.

An application for a seven square metre ‘tourist information’ kiosk was approved in the same area in January. The Malta Tourism Authority had objected to this application, claiming that such a kiosk would create more pedestrian and traffic congestion in the area, but the proposal was approved after Transport Malta approved the proposal.