Valletta residents, NGO urge PM to step in as PA set to approve joinery in alley
No permit was required - applicant
Updated December 26 with developer's reply
Valletta residents and an environmental NGO have urged the prime minister and the Planning Authority to “intervene” on the eve of the anticipated approval of an “artisan joinery” in a two-metre wide alley, calling it a “serious failure of environmental justice”.
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar has spoken out in support of residents of Triq il-Bjar who have reportedly been suffering “serious health conditions” and enduring noise from a joinery workshop.
Complaints made to the police, Environmental Health Directorate and the Occupational Health and Safety Authority have resulted in enforcement action and criminal proceedings, which remain pending before the Court of Magistrates but, despite all this, “the activity has continued”.
A Planning Application PA 05280/25, seeks to sanction the change of use of a pre-1967 garage into an artisan joinery.
While the PA’s case officer report recommended the application should be refused, during the November 25 sitting, the PA’s chair of the commission responsible for the urban conservation area (UCA) Elizabeth Ellul “went out of her way to defend the contravening applicant” and dismissed the directorate’s recommendation to refuse, the FAA said.
The NGO reported that throughout the sitting, the activity was compared to a “small scale craft production” and Ellul “repeatedly justified approval, claiming that the workshop has been ongoing for many years, despite official confirmation that no pre-1994 or 2016 Trading Licenses exist”.
Both the Environmental Health Directorate and the Environment Resources Authority have approved the application.
FAA said the carpentry workshop uses heavy machinery, spray guns, varnishing and chemical products.
They pointed out that fumes from the processes are being released into a common shaft serving residential properties above, with residents reporting “certified respiratory and other serious health conditions linked to prolonged exposure to noise, dust and toxic airborne substances”.
The FAA added that “repeated requests for intervention by the Valletta local council have yielded no substantive response”.
“Every authority tasked with safeguarding residents’ health and quality of life has failed to act decisively. Vulnerable residents remain exposed to dust, fumes and volatile airborne toxins with known respiratory, endocrine and neurological risks,” FAA said.
“This level of ‘turning a blind eye’ is highly alarming.”
The NGO called for all referenced documentation to be made publicly available and comprehensive health, environmental and amenity assessments to be conducted before any decision is taken.
Most neighbours have no objections - applicant
In a reply, applicant Claude Camilleri said the only objectors to the application were two individuals - FAA was never recognised as an official objector by the Planning Authority.
Writing through his lawyer, Camilleri said the premises in question consist of two adjacent rooms, measuring approximately 3.5 metres by 8 metres.
"My client inherited this business from his father, who in turn inherited it from his uncle. The activity carried out on this small site consists primarily of the restoration and maintenance of traditional wooden doors and balconies. This business has been operating for over 50 years, well before the complainant took up residence in the area."
Since Camilleri did not carry out any industrial activity, but merely practices a traditional trade, it was correctly contended that no particular permit was required.
"If every person carrying out a trade, artisanal work, or any profession were required to obtain such a permit, professional practices such as those of lawyers, doctors, notaries, as well as watchmakers, shoemakers, carpenters, and others, would inevitably have to close down.
"The fact that my client undertakes traditional carpentry work to preserve Valletta’s historic wooden balconies enhances the capital city, as it is fully in keeping with and enhances its character."
Camilleri also said he is in possession of signed statements from 60 neighbours, as well as affidavits, confirming their non-objection.
The Planning Authority unanimously approved the application on December 17, subject to an amendment prohibiting the use of spray equipment.