The Government has filed a planning application with a masterplan to create a regional park in the Fgura, Zabbar and Cospicua area.
The park, according to the masterplan that has been submitted, would include a walking and jogging track; a dirt car track (close to the dockyard); a zip line; ‘adventure activities’; a multi-purpose area including a fitness centre, a multi-purpose sports ground, a skate park and playing field, a dog park, a children’s play area, picnic areas and a beach volleyball area.
The application was filed by Chris Bonnet a consultant, on behalf of government. The project will span the St James and St Aloysius bastions as well as the Polverista and Zabbar gates.
A couple of objection letters have, however, been submitted. One Fgura resident told the Planning Authority that the area identified for the skate park is frequented by youths past midnight causing nuisance, and that the creation of an "unsecured and unmonitored skate park" will further encourage the problem.
Highlighting the dirt track issue, the resident argued that the plan submitted is too vague, and asks whether this will be a real track or for remote controlled cars, mentioning the noise creation if it is to be the former. The resident also highlights the use of hard-landscaping which will scar the current natural walking paths and the felling of trees.
The resident highlighted that the South Malta Local Plan details the intended scope of the district park to consist of informal recreational activities which would include children play areas, picnic areas, jogging trails, cycling tracks and similar low key sports facilities. The resident asks “How does a ‘dirt car track’, ‘adventure climbing rig’, and ‘skate park’ fit within that description?”
Another objector highlighted the incompatibility of certain proposed activities, like the car track, with nature.
A separate application for part of the site has already been filed, for an area which will include the skate park, dog park, part of the walking track, a multipurpose pitch, gym, outdoor gym, playing field and picnic area. The site area for this section of the project stands at approximately 1,000 square metres.
Back in 2016 another section of the park had already been approved. That development application involved the demolition and development of an existing unused land into a recreational park which included the formation of walkways, picnic areas, play areas and a one storey building. The one storey building was to replace another building and include a kiosk, a park attendant room and sanitary facilities. All existing trees in this part were to be retained.