Four environmental NGOs have signed an open letter to the Prime Minister proposing a new nature park in the south of Malta as an alternative to the controversial 'Buġibba in the South' development.

BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar and Nature Trust are urging Joseph Muscat to declare the public land between SmartCity and Żonqor Point as a protected nature and heritage park for the benefit of the environment and people alike.

Reacting to the proposals to develop three large hotels in the area, which is an outside development zone, the NGOs say they fear it would create "an unsustainable precedent for the ongoing development of undeveloped countryside in the area which would devastate the local environment and ruin its traditional character".

The letter states that declaring this pristine stretch of coast and countryside as a nature park not only safeguards the site from development, but will enhance the quality of life for local communities and provide opportunities for employment in ecotourism, calling it "a win-win situation for the country".

The plan recommends improvements for public access and education, such as a heritage trail and refurbishment of Fort San Leonard as a visitor centre, and also suggests renovating disused buildings as ecotourism destinations.

The NGOs state that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had previously expressed agreement with the idea of a establishing a nature park in the south of Malta, and urge him now to seriously consider these plans to ensure a sustainable future for the south.

The government's privatisation unit recently unveiled controversial proposals for three hotels to be built on land outside development zones between SmartCity and Żonqor Point in Marsascala. The development, on public land, also incorporates a beach club and a promenade.

It is being proposed that three hotels will consist of a five-star hotel in the vicinity of Smart City, a boutique hotel located within Fort Leonardu, and an iconic hotel that would "symbolise a truly romantic Mediterranean backdrop" at the tip of Żonqor Point.

In their letter to the Prime Minister, the NGOs expressed concern, saying they fear "this would create an unsustainable precedent for the ongoing development of undeveloped countryside in the area which would devastate the local environment and ruin its traditional character".

They added: "Following our discussions prior to the 2013 general election, we would propose that a protected nature and heritage park in the south would save the region from the dense development of the north and do much to increase our islands' reputation as a tourist destination.

"Employment opportunities can also be created by the establishment of protected open space and coast now so scarce in Malta, as well as the reutilisation and upgrading of existing buildings and valorisation of heritage sites. This would be much more sustainable and also reflect the distinct character of the area, which would attract high-value eco and cultural tourism, boosting economic feasibility.

"Such creative ventures make a higher contribution to the quality of life and wellbeing of local communities and their visitors."