Moviment Graffittiin a statment said that it is appalled, but not surprised, to hear about plans by MIDI to turn Manoel Island into a commercialised space for the exclusive use of the super-rich. The Masterplan presented by MIDI includes disconcerting plans to transform the beautiful Fort Manoel into a luxury hotel, to fence off most the Island, and to fill with yachts the surrounding sea and foreshore, making it impossible for the common people to use this space. After having illegally deprived the people from rightfully enjoying this place for so long, MIDI now wants to ruin Manoel Island once and for all.

Moviment Graffiti said that, "MIDI is still illegally blocking public access during weekdays despite their commitment to restore full access. Last September, Moviment Graffitti activists together with other activists and organisations involved in Kamp Emerġenza Ambjent cut through fences that had illegally closed off the island for the past 16 years. It is completely unacceptable that, in addition to illegally blocking public access, MIDI now intends to transform this popular place into a space for the wealthy few."We will not accept that such an important and historic place be ravaged by speculators keen on amassing their riches, and we shall take action to stop this madness.

Moviment Graffitti states that Manoel Island should become a national park in an area which has experienced savage development over the past decades.

In a statment issued yesterday by MIDI developers, it was stated that, "the masterplan fully adheres to the conditions set out in the deed of emphyteusis entered into between Government of Malta and the Company in June 2000.  The deed includes an Outline Development Permit clearly setting out the parameters of the development and specifies the extent of development permitted including a mix of low rise residential and commercial development, marina, restoration works, dredging, land reclamation and infrastructural obligations. As already demonstrated in the past MIDI remains fully committed to the restoration of all heritage buildings on the island and their rehabilitation.  The plans also provide for extensive open spaces and facilities for leisure & sports activities, heritage walks and social and public cultural events.  The masterplan, in line with the deed, envisages that 62% of Manoel Island is to be dedicated to public open spaces and accessibility (including the creation of an 80,000-square metre family park), 20% of Manoel Island is to be dedicated to heritage buildings and 18% of the area is to be dedicated to new buildings located on currently disturbed land. The development will be predominantly a car free environment with significant improvement in accessibility to and from the island by means of water transportation.  Furthermore, the foreshore will remain fully accessible to the public and swimmers."