Manoel Island is a critical part of Malta's history, and remains a much-loved part of the local landscape and culture.

Preserving this unique heritage is at the heart of the revised MIDI Masterplan to restore and develop Manoel Island, the consortium says.

The new Masterplan was recently submitted to the Planning Authority alongside a revised Environmental Impact Assessment to the Environmental Resources Authority.

The 2021 Masterplan is a substantial improvement over the 1999 and 2017 designs. It focuses more on preservation, sustainability and public wellbeing, while transforming Manoel Island into a space prepared for Malta's future.

 

New public open spaces

The original Deed of Emphyteusis with the Government called for 161,000sqm of open spaces on Manoel Island.

These now total 192,000sqm on the new Masterplan, with 175,000sqm of that area being public open space - the equivalent of 22 football pitches.

Each space has been carefully located to respect and showcase Manoel Island's heritage and archaeological sites. As well as the Glacis Park - an 80,000sqm green family park surrounding Fort Manoel - there is another 35,000sqm open space in the heart of the development.  

The total open space on Manoel Island is vast when compared to Malta's other open spaces. It is approximately nine times larger than neighbouring Gzira Gardens, around four times the size of San Anton Gardens, over five times larger than the Sant' Antnin Family Park and more than half the size of the Ta' Qali National Park.

 

Restoration of heritage buildings

Key to the masterplan is the restoration of Manoel Island's many heritage buildings and the historical part of the existing bridge.

The Lazzaretto will be restored for mixed use and hospitality purposes, while Fort Manoel itself, which has already been restored to its former glory, will become a cultural and arts hub, with galleries, museums, shops, restaurants and a parade ground, all with full public access. The Chapel will also host community events, weddings and celebrations.

 

Reduced footprint for new buildings

The footprint of both residential and commercial new buildings on Manoel Island has been radically reduced from 26 per cent in the 1999 Masterplan to around 10 per cent in the new one.

In the 2021 plan, the gross floor area totals 55,000sqm, significantly less than the approximate 95,000sqm originally contemplated.

 

Archaeological sites central to the redesign

A 24-month site investigation carried out by an independent archaeologist and approved by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage has confirmed that a large part of the site is of archaeological importance.

In fact, the discovery of these sites - which affect an area of 22,000sqm - prompted the full redesign of the Masterplan to ensure that they are respected and maintained. The affected area will now be transformed into a 35,000sqm public space.

 

No land reclamation

The original plan included 14,000sqm in land reclamation, but this has been removed from the revised Masterplan. As a result, the residential block which was proposed for the north shore entrance to Manoel Island will not be developed, thus reducing the impact on the Gzira community.

 

Floating breakwater and upgraded slipway

While ensuring Manoel Island can still be operated as a world-class yacht marina, the new Masterplan continues to mitigate its environmental impact by shifting from a solid to a floating breakwater, MIDI explained.

The current slipway on the north side of the Island will be retained and upgraded.

The enhanced slipway will continue to operate as a launch pad for vessels including fishing boats, sailing boats and kayaks, thus remaining an essential feature for the local fishing and boating community.

 

Community-focused, sustainability-conscious

The revised Manoel Island Masterplan insists that full public access is maintained all year round. Pedestrians can continue to enjoy unhindered access to the foreshore for swimming, walking or meeting friends and family.

The Masterplan also boasts a variety of sports facilities for the benefit of the Gzira community, including a full-sized football pitch for Gzira United FC and a Bocci Club.

MIDI says sustainability is central to the Manoel Island Masterplan, with the project designed to meet Malta's renewable energy targets.

Water conservation is a key factor too, with rainwater harvesting, collection and treatment of grey water for irrigation and utilisation of the Island's existing reservoirs.

The new buildings have likewise been designed to conserve energy, considering the best use of daylight while installing glazing and shading devices alongside energy efficient lighting, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

 

Fewer cars

To reduce Manoel Island's carbon footprint further and create a largely pedestrianised car-free streetscape, vehicular access will be limited. On top of this, car parking will be located underground and supplemented by electric charging points.

Infrastructure will be developed for water ferries connecting Manoel Island to Valletta and Sliema.

 

Accountability

In a first for Malta, the Masterplan is subject to a Guardianship Agreement. The Manoel Island Foundation - a non-profit foundation set up between MIDI plc and Gzira Local Council - will act as guardian of the rights and obligations agreed in the Masterplan.

This Agreement safeguards public interest by respecting access to the foreshore, protecting heritage buildings, regulating new building heights and providing public open spaces and cultural offerings - ensuring that the new MIDI Masterplan for Manoel Island is an investment in Gzira and Malta's past, present and future.

 

More information about the new MIDI Manoel Island Masterplan can be found at www.manoelisland.com.mt.