Valletta mayor lashes out at Strait Street floating 'eyesore'

A newly-erected floating platform jutting out onto Valletta's Strait Street has pitted the capital city's mayor against the Planning Authority. 

The floating platform is there for Valletta 2018 activities, the PA said.

The floating platform was approved as a theatre stage to be used for events related to Valletta 2018 events, and must be dismantled by the end of January next year. 

It was approved as part of a 2016 permit which was initially refused but subsequently granted on appeal last July. The structure forms part of €1.5 million The Gut redevelopment of lower Strait Street, which is being led by Valletta Boutique Living. 

But while the Planning Authority says the theatre stage breaks no rules, Valletta mayor Alexiei Dingli reckons it is a disgrace. 

"It's an eyesore," he told Times of Malta.

"So if every bar on Strait Street, or anywhere else in Valletta, asks for a 'theatre stage', will they get a permit?" 

If that were the case, Dr Dingli said, "rather than a capital of culture we would have a capital of floating platforms."

The Valletta mayor, who first expressed his anger at the structure in a post on his personal Facebook profile, said residents in the area had not been given any say in the matter, and wondered how the permit holders would be allowed to play music outdoors.

"I wonder who gave them permit to play music outside, if they have one," he said. "I urge PA to revoke the permit immediately."