The preliminary assessment report conducted by MEPA on the proposed land for the new university clearly states that the site cannot be located in protected area, including areas of high landscape value.

An assessment report tabled by the Prime Minister in parliament this evening, following a request by Nationalist MP Ryan Callus, states that the four criteria adopted are that:

1. Site has to be in the south of the island of Malta;

2. Half of the site has to be in Government ownership;

3. Site cannot be located in a protected area;

4. Site had to be well serviced by existing infrastructure including roads, drainage, water and electricity.

 

Another criteria states that the campus cannot be located in a protected area.  Site should not have an unacceptable adverse impact on Special Areas of Conservation (SACS), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) Scheduled areas and Scheduled Areas of High Landscape Value.

A table laying out the land cover classification was also part of the report and is as follows:

 

The report states that the area presents a continuation of the rock shoreline that extends up to Xgtiajra. However it is dominated by different floral assemblages although maritime species still dominate. Further northwards towards I-Ilsien, anthropogenic influence on the natural vegetation is more pronounced.

The report states that similar to Fort San Leonardu area, although not formally designated, the rocky foreshore asection of the site is proposed for scheduling under local legislation for its ecological importance. The area does not qualify as an SAC, SPA or designated watercourse or valley system.