“FAA maintains that such public spaces cannot simply be given away by Lands Authority to the detriment of the community. Further policy breaches highlighted by FAA include the library’s location within the UCA where the FAA maintains that the strictly residential nature and character of the location must be protected at all costs,” FAA stressed.

FAA condemns the fact that the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage approved this application, in spite of the fact that it is a listed scheduled building, and will create a precedent for commercialisation. 

Allowing the operation of a cafe would also lead to a lot of disturbance for the 27 private residences surrounding this low-level library roof.

The public library is located in an Urban Conservation Area, situated at the lower end of Triq l-Oratorju, which is an area already experiencing parking problems.

“This case shows how NGOs and residents working together can succeed in protecting the quality of life of their locality and we thank the residents of this Bormla community for their strong support,” FAA stated. 

It also expressed its relief at the Planning Commission for giving the well-being and quality of life of an Urban Village Core priority over the commercial interests of a private business, thereby ensuring that this public open space is safeguarded for the residents.

What do you make of this win for public spaces?