NGO Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) reminded the government of its right to take back Manoel Island by rescinding the deed of emphyteusis.

“FAA will continue with its work to safeguard Manoel Island for all Maltese and for future generations of visitors of Malta verifying the Maltese Government’s right to rescind the June 2000 Deed of Empytheusis and to take back Manoel Island should MIDI continue to fail to meet the contract’s criteria by 31 March 2026.”

“At that point, the Government would be in the unique position to gift Manoel Island as the first nature and heritage park to all its people!”

FAA said this in a statement responding to the Court of Appeal’s decision denying FAA’s appeal to have the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Manoel Island development nullified.

FAA pointed out that the traffic generation figures were provided by MIDI itself without any verification or study by independent consultants.

“In addition, the figures provided by the company were deliberately underestimated by around 80% when compared to calculations provided in the PA’s own circular 1/2015 which the PA itself adopted in assessing developments near the MIDI project.”

FAA added that the site will block the views of Valletta and it does not recognise that Manoel Island forms part of a legally recognised Area of High Landscape Value.

“This project will be very detrimental to the environment of Gzira which has suffered so much in the last ten years due to rampant overdevelopment and the takeover of the waterfront pavement by restaurants.  A sizeable chunk of the water-side promenade was taken over by a massive Lido.  Now even more of the promenade will be taken up by a 42-metre roundabout and a new road bridge to Manoel Island.”

FAA said that it has been campaigning for the transformation of Manoel Island into a Heritage Park for the last seven years. It said that this would be the best use for this land as it is the only open space wooded area between Swieqi and Pieta.

“FAA will continue to try to remedy the mistake made by the 1992 Development Brief.  Having the best areas of Malta, that have been enjoyed by everyone for millennia, taken over for the exclusive enjoyment of a handful rich individuals and for the private profit of even fewer, richer individuals is not environmental justice! This is especially true of public coasts and lands that are recognised at law as Areas of High Landscape Value.”