Transport Malta has responded to criticism for its proposal for a yacht marina in Marsascala Bay after severe backlash to plans which emerged on Friday.

In a statement responding to public statements about the pre-qualification questionnaire for a concession for the building and operation of a yacht marina in Marsascala Bay, Transport Malta said that the impression being given by some that plans for the marina had been finalised is “completely mistaken.”

What is published, it said, is nothing more than a call for those interested in developing a marina.  The process, it said, is at a very early stage.

When there is a shortlist of those interested, a number of other processes or studies, which naturally include wide consultations include with the local community, for the project to then mature and have plans designed and ultimately chosen, they said.

The authority hastened to point out that the decision to earmark Marsascala for a marina was taken in the 2006 local plan – another episode where the current administration has shifted blame for a particular area being taken up for development onto the 15-year-old boundaries.

The Malta Independent on Sunday reported how preliminary design of the marina essentially shows how the bay will end up being chock full of berth spots and how land will be reclaimed across different parts of the bay.

As explained in the project’s own description, it shall include the design, supply and installation of pontoons, mooring bays, and other infrastructure including a breakwater, together with the necessary and ancillary equipment and safety installations for the provision of berthing services established in the area for the berthing of vessels.

The layout of the yacht Marina is expected to substantially increase the current berthing capacity to a minimum of at least 700 berths in the Marina pertaining to the Project, while the concessionaire will also be expected to host and provide for a re-organisation of the current 567 berth holders.

The plans show the need for dredging – a practice which is incredibly damaging to the bay’s underwater habitat – in at least four different places.

The plans also propose that land be reclaimed in three separate areas the total area of which would be of 16,000 square metres.

This newspaper revealed that the project could have a financial value of around €183 million across 50 years.