Excavation works for MIDI’s project on Manoel Island will stop for the next three months pending an appeal against the master plan for the area, the planning appeals tribunal (EPRT) has ruled.

Excavation works on Manoel island will be suspended for three months until 17 December.

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) argued that the original master plan dished out in 2000 had since expired, while the latest plans approved by the Planning Board earlier this year were also invalid for several reasons.

The group added that it remained very concerned about the lack of an environmental management system for the excavation works which had promised by the developers.

“MIDI itself had admitted in its project development statement that its contractors’ trucks fall far short of environmental standards, and that their diesel engines emit toxic nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxides,” FAA said.

Yet, FAA said, “MIDI still intends making 15,000 trips with such trucks” despite the potential health risks on residents.

Last August, a grassroots group filed a second parliamentary petition against the development after the first was seemingly ignored by the petitions committee, despite acquiring  7,571 signatures.

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