Application
of encroachment permits, including those for outdoor catering areas :
I am the operator of a
catering establishment/bar. Can I use the pavement in front of my premises to
place tables and chairs as an outside café?
The
use of government-owned public spaces (including pavements) is regulated by the
Government Lands Act, CAP 573 and therefore requires a permit from the Lands
Authority. To make use of government-owned
public spaces, the applicant needs to submit a GLA12 form. The form can be downloaded
from here and has to be filled in by a Perit and sent with
the required documents on the indicated email. Further to an evaluation
process, the application will be forwarded to a designated Committee for its
approval. In case of approval, the applicant
will receive a Consent letter together with an attached site plan (showing the
area approved by the Committee for tables & chairs). If/when this is
forthcoming, the Perit will submit a Development Planning Application with the
Planning Authority, requesting permission to use the land for the placing of
tables and chairs. A copy of the Lands
Authority’s Consent letter needs to be submitted to the Planning Authority with
the application.
The
Planning Authority assesses the application in terms of approved planning
policy which ensures, amongst others, that pedestrian movement on the pavement
is not hindered. When an application is
approved, the permit will be issued subject to a number of Standard Conditions
for Tables & Chairs Permits plus any ad hoc conditions that may be
required. The permit does not exonerate
the grantee from obtaining other permits required at law.
At this stage, the applicant just needs to inform
the Lands Authority, providing a full copy of the Planning Authority permit. The Lands Authority will then proceed with
issuing an Encroachment Permit which the applicant will obtain upon payment.
A
copy of the permit shall be forwarded to MTA. Should any of these entities
require the Encroachment Permit to be withdrawn, the Lands Authority shall
withdraw the permit.
Outdoor
Catering Area Policy
Policy,
Guidance and Standards for Outdoor Catering Areas on Public Open Space was
published on 01/06/2016. Amongst other policies, applications for tables and
chairs need to be in conformity with the OCA (Outdoor Catering Area) Policy. The policy document can be accessed through from here.
For more information one may contact Lands Authority from here.