The chairman of the National Book Council Mark Camilleri has hit out at the government’s plans to build a University at Żonqor Point, saying the government is doing itself no favours by pushing forward with the development in the face of mounting opposition.

Mr Camilleri was found not guilty of offending public morals in 2011 for publishing a piece in university magazine Realtà which described the male narrator’s sexual exploits.

His case led to a national debate on the country’s antiquated censorship laws. He was appointed to the National Book Council, which falls under the remit of the Education Ministry, when the Labour government came to power in 2013.

Contacted by The Malta Independent and asked for his take on the proposed location for the project Mr Camilleri said: "First of all, let me be absolutely clear. I support this Labour government and whatever opposition there is against this government should not be used as mileage for the Nationalist Party which, god-forbid, ever enters office again.

“Secondly, I fully support both in political and in professional terms, my superior the Minister for Education and Employment who technically is my boss, and with whom I have a healthy and productive working relationship. Having said that, I am fully against the government's plan to build an academic institution in Żonqor and the government must realise that it is doing itself no favours by pushing forward with the project despite opposition from residents and party members.

“I have lived in Marsascala most of my life and I know the place well: it's one of the most beautiful natural gems in the south and is definitely not worth losing for a project as planned by the government.

It is most certainly welcoming that the government aims to attract further foreign students to the islands in the hope that their purchasing power leaves economic returns; but the prediction that this project will fuel millions of Euros into the local community of Marsascala is misguided: the multiplier effect is not that simple.

“In economic principle this project is very similar to Tigne Point: a project which attracts individuals with a higher than average purchasing power into a particular location hoping their purchasing power regenerates the area.

“It does provide economic returns, but under current economic conditions the returns go mostly to large and well established retail shops and well established catering establishments, eventually creating a swathe of low paid jobs in these sectors. In other words, it's definitely not worth losing the natural beauty of Żonqor for this project."