06/10/2026
Following the issuance of an enforcement notice by the Planning Authority, an illegal structure consisting of a tent, together with tables and chairs, which had been placed on public land in front of a food establishment in Sliema, has been removed.
The enforcement notice will, however, remain in force until the site is fully restored to its original state and all outstanding requirements of the notice have been complied with.
The intervention follows an enforcement notice and a public statement issued by the Authority ordering the immediate removal of the unauthorised structure. The Authority had made it clear that, should those responsible fail to comply, enforcement proceedings would be escalated in accordance with the applicable legal framework, including through direct action where necessary to ensure compliance.
In the same statement, the Authority had reaffirmed its commitment and regulatory role in safeguarding the public interest, addressing illegal development, and ensuring that enforcement action is carried out effectively.
Additional note: Planning enforcement in Malta is governed by the Development Planning Act (Cap. 552). When the Authority receives a report of suspected illegal development, its compliance and enforcement officers carry out an inspection of the site.
Works still under way can be halted immediately through a stop notice. Where an illegality is confirmed, an enforcement notice is served requiring its removal and the reinstatement of the site within a set period, and this may carry daily fines until the contravener complies.
The person served has the right of appeal before the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal, and direct action cannot be taken while an appeal is pending. In some cases, the person responsible may apply for sanctioning of the development, which is assessed against planning policy and is not automatically approved.
If the period set in the notice expires without compliance, the Authority may take direct action, entering the site and carrying out the works itself.