Supporters’ club in Ħamrun approved in spite of residents' objections

The Planning Authority has approved a football supporters’ club in a residential street in Ħamrun despite the many residents who cried foul.
The application, to convert a disused carpentry workshop into a supporters’ club, was approved by the Planning Commission board despite having been recommended for refusal, after the project architect downsized parts of the proposal to address parking concerns.
Around 80 residents in Triq Lord Byron and surroundings streets signed a petition arguing that the application goes against planning policy due to the area’s residential make-up, and would generate nuisance in terms of noise, traffic and parking.
“It is a known fact that such clubs attract customers throughout the day but have a major influx of customers attending events of the club and more specifically during the time of the day when the team in question plays its games,” objectors said.

Residents accused the PA of inconsistency, arguing that a development they describe as identical, in a residential area in Qormi, was refused two years ago.
The Ħamrun local council  also objected, on the basis that the development would exacerbate parking problems in a street that already has too...