The environmental NGOs Nature Trust (Malta) and Friends of the Earth (Malta), and the Ramblers Association of Malta, are objecting to the extension of the Hilton project on to protected marshland.

The area is known as Il-Qaliet and is a transitional coastal wetland scheduled as a Level 1 Area of Ecological Importance (AEI) and a Level 1 Site of Scientific Importance (SSI) as per Government Notice 288/95 under Section 46 of the Development Planning Act 1992.

The NGOs said that this marshland and its adjoining rock pools was scheduled by Mepa because of the existence of plants that range from very rare or endangered to as yet unnamed species as well as rare amphibia.

The environmental organisations are asking why was a full development permit granted in less than four months, why was no Environment Impact Assess-ment carried out and what will happen to previous enforcement notices.