The project will include 71 hotel suites and 19 serviced bungalows that will be redeveloped from existing derelict bungalows. Amenities would include a spa, dining spaces and a mini shop, while ground floor suites will have private infinity pools and all guests will enjoy exclusive access to  San Niklaw Bay .

The project is facing opposition from a number of environmental NGOs, including BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Moviment Graffitti, Nature Trust Malta – FEE, and Ramblers’ Association of Malta.

Agius Saliba issued his statement after Environment Minister Miriam Dalli launched Project Green, a new government entity tasked with implementing and overseeing €700 million investment in green open spaces around the country.

Project Green CEO Steve Ellul said the new entity’s first priorities would be to partially convert San Ġwann’s main road and a car park behind the American University of Malta in Cospicua into public gardens.

Underground car parks will be built in both instances to compensate for the lack of parking, while an underground tunnel will also be built under Vjal ir-Rihan for the San Ġwann project.

Agius Saliba urged Project Green to prioritise the setting up of a green roof over the Santa Venera tunnels along Regional Road, a project the government has been promising for several years.

“The people of Santa Venera have suffered for long enough and they have suffered too much,” he said.

The MEP also called for Project Green to safeguard Gżira’s coastal garden in light of Transport Malta’s plan to construct offices and a restaurant along the promenade.

“It is a unique green lung for the people of Gżira who have suffered for years as a result of excessive development in their town,” he said.

Cover photo: Left: PL MEP Alex Agius Saliba, Right: A digital render of the proposed Comino luxury retreat centre

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