Details on the extensive development plans for Manoel Island were released by Times of Malta this morning, and people weren’t happy with the proposed plans.

A hotel at Fort Manoel, a large shopping complex and a casino-hotel at the historic Lazaretto are among the projects mentioned in Midi’s (as-of-yet not officially public) development plans for the tiny island in Gżira. 

The plans were instantly attacked by Gżira mayor Conrad Borg Manché, who called the whole thing a “completely unacceptable” proposal that would create “another jumble of retail outlets and commercialised space.”

Beyond the mayor’s reaction, however, a lot of people made it a point to express their disapproval. These people come from all walks of life, from architects and other Maltese Local Councils, to members of the general public from both political parties.

But as this person was quick to point, if people really are so against this project, there’s only one thing they can realistically do at this point.

Update: A few hours after this news broke out, Malta Today reported that Midi’s plans also include hiving off 62% of Manoel Island as public open space for an 80,000 square metre park.

What do you think of Manoel Island’s development plans?

READ NEXT: Saving Manoel Island From Ourselves

David Grech Urpani

Lovin Malta's Head of Content, Dave has been in journalism for the better half of the last decade. Prefers Instagram, but has been known to doomscroll on TikTok. Loves chicken, women's clothes and Kanye West (most of the time).