Last Chance To Object: Activists Strongly Oppose Construction Of Manoel Island
Activists hailing from local pressure group Moviment Graffitti are once again strongly opposing the construction of Manoel Island, one of Gżira’s last remaining green lungs.
The latest development application, PA/01053/23, is proposing the construction of over 300 apartments, garages, a restaurant and even a gym on Manoel Island.
This comes after MIDI plc submitted its revised master plan following the approved outline permit, a development which has been stirring up controversy for years.
Activists are arguing, that these plans effectively transform an area of public land, given as a concession to MIDI, into a private community.
Representations against the newly revised plans, are being accepted until today, 29th September – so it’s the last chance to object.
“This is yet another example of public land having been handed off to private interests, which serves no benefit to the general public. The construction works here will only wreak further havoc on the already over-constructed Marsamxett harbour region,” activists are arguing in their objections, while urging the public to also submit their representations.
“Manoel Island has been a site of respite since community and civil society members banded together to demand MIDI grant them their rightful coastal access, and this development would only be a slap in the face to the community.”
“The proposed building heights jar greatly with their surroundings and would have a negative impact on the views of Valletta, Floriana and the harbour. Manoel Island also lies within the Area of High Landscape Value of the Harbour Fortifications (Government Notice 133/01).”
“This project will drastically increase the traffic in the already majorly congested area, and little has been planned in terms of long-term traffic strategy. Manoel Island is only accessible via a single bridge and will make the area impossible to pass through, more so than it already is. The solution is not to build a new road but rather to limit such development.”
What do you make of this? Have you objected to the plans?
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