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Over 2,500 People Sign Petition Calling For Manoel Island To Be Turned Into Heritage Park

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Over 2500 people have signed a parliamentary petition calling on the government to transform Manoel Island into a National Heritage Park rather than follow through with MIDI’s proposed development.

Claiming that the project would threaten the “quality of life of thousands for the benefit of the few”, the petition also cites the destruction of iconic views of the Marsamxett harbour and Triq Ix-Xatt, heavy construction, and increased air pollution as other main causes for concern.

“These consequences can be avoided. Past errors can be reversed, if the Government of Malta takes action towards, protecting what is left of our cultural heritage and natural environment in the area.”

“This is a historic opportunity for our government to reverse the wrongs of the past and go down in history as champions of the people,” the petition reads.

MIDI was first granted a 99-year concession by previous PN administrations (with the approval of the entire parliament) for the development of Manoel Island, where it has restored the historic fort, by 2000.

In December 2018, a decision to accept proposed amendments to the master plan to ensure the mega-development was postponed by the Planning Authority Board due to a lack of adequate documentation.

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The development is not without its controversy. In September 2016, activists from the Kamp Emergenza Ambjent, joined by Borg Manche, cut through a fence and broke open a gate that was blocking public access to the foreshore at Manoel Island.

The local council had also initiated legal proceedings against the MIDI consortium, saying that it was breaching its contract terms by barring public access to the foreshore

The petition can be found here.

READ NEXT: New Protest Group ‘Inħobbu l-Gżira’ Forms And Pledges To Oppose MIDI’s Plans For Manoel Island

Julian is the former editor of Lovin Malta and has a particular interest in politics, the environment, social issues, and human interest stories.

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