Swieqi residents complain about noise from Pembroke fun fair
Fair has all permits - Pembroke council
The fun fair recently set up in the open space in front of Luxol football club, Pembroke, which has prompted Swieqi residents to complain to The Times, has all the required permits, Pembroke mayor Joe Zammit said.
The Times has received complaints about the activity and the noise emanating from the fair until midnight everyday.
One resident wondered how the operators of the fair had obtained a licence since it was so close to a residential area.
However, it has been confirmed that the fair has the necessary permits.
Pembroke council gave it the green light, and the fair has a trading licence from the police as well as a Lands Department permit, the council said.
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority said the fair did not require a PA permit since it was a temporary structure, which would not be around for more than 28 days.
Mr Zammit said the local council always suggested a list of conditions to safeguard the interests of residents when it allowed an activity in the locality.
For example, it had asked for the fair to end at 11 p.m. However, the police extended the permit until midnight. Normally, the local council requested that outdoor activities should end at 10.30 p.m. during the week.
Mr Zammit said that from June 1, permits and trading licences for outdoor activities were in the hands of the council, and it would not allow the police to change the time.
Among conditions suggested were reserved spaces in the area for residents and their guests, without payment or restrictions.
It was also suggested that the area should be cleaned every evening and at other times when necessary, while skips and litter bins had to be positioned around the site, and mobile toilets installed.
The council also asked for sponsorship to be used for the upgrading and embellishment of the area. Pembroke council was considering opening another entrance to the open space opposite Luxol.
Mr Zammit clarified that the council had no intention of depriving anyone from "earning a buck", but urged mutual respect.