The proposed development of a 140-bed hotel and 16 bungalows was approved by the Planning Authority on Thursday, with the vote passing 8-1, despite the Ghajnsielem Local Council declaring that they are against the project due to concerns raised by the public.

The project plan includes the demolition of an existing hotel at San Niklaw Bay as well as existing bungalows at Santa Marija Bay. Additionally, the project consists of the construction of a new 140-bed hotel and 16 bungalow units with ancillary facilities such as a spa, bars, and restaurants. The proposal, (PA/4777/20), was filed by Hili Ventures Hospitality.

Chairperson of the Board, Emanuel Camilleri, said that the Environmental Resources Authority did not object to the development and also acknowledged that the original plans were downsized. The Board stated that the ERA is of the opinion that the proposal is unlikely to impact the Natura 2000 site.

Marie Claire Gatt, a member of Moviment Graffitti, argued that the meeting should be postponed as new plans were filed the day prior to the meeting, with the law requiring 15-days to pass from the submission of plans to a decision being made. Following this, the applicant chose to retract the new document and instead opted to include the clarifications as a condition, as they argued that the only changes made were clarifications of wording such as changing 'reconstruction' to 'restoration'.

Gatt continued that Comino in its totality is a nature reserve to be protected at the highest degree. She commented that the developer has no God-given right to develop, and that any development needs to be at the discretion of environment and planning laws. She said that the public does not want the project, and that the project is incompatible with the island of Comino or the Maltese islands as a whole.

Joseph Caruana, on behalf of Wirt Ghawdex, focused on the issue of light pollution. He questioned how one can say that there will be no light pollution impact with the presence of 44 pools. "Anyone who has any good sense and loves this country knows quite well why we are opposing this project," he remarked.

Nicolas Barbara of BirdLife Malta questioned how many people the hotel is going to attract to Comino. He said that it is useless to have an impact assessment when it remains unknown how much additional pressure the hotel is going to cause through its services and utilities. He remarked that "sustainability is out the window".

Daniel Cilia, founding member of Din L-Art Helwa Ghawdex, said that the PA has "absolutely ignored the objections of citizens," and that every time a public meeting takes place in the boardroom, "the people are ignored completely".

Chairperson Camilleri interjected that such a remark is an opinion and that Cilia should not make it personal, as he then asked Cilia to make his argument logically. Cilia commented that what will happen with this project is likely the same as has happened in Ibiza, with all the plants and foliage being just for the planning presentation.

Annalise Falzon, on behalf of Friends of the Earth Malta, remarked that calls for a carrying capacity on Comino have been repeated for over 20 years. She argued that the hotel development cannot go ahead before carrying out a carrying capacity.

ADPD Chairperson Sandra Gauci questioned how much of Comino will be left for people to access the beaches.

The permit is to adhere to a public deed which does not allow for permanent residential occupation.

Immediately following the approval vote, members of the public viewing the meeting remarked that the people have lost Comino, and that the Board members will be remembered as the ones who gave it away.

Lucienne Haber, the Executive Secretary of the Ghajnsielem Local Council, stated that the project does not respect the integrity of the Natura 2000 site. She also spoke of concerns regarding light pollution, and of the absence of sewage treatment plans.

Developer's statement

In a statement after the planning application was approved, HV Hospitality, a subsidiary of Hili Ventures, welcomed the decision to approve the Six Senses Comino project.

"The €170 million investment will introduce a lower-density, more sustainable tourism model on the island. The new project will reduce guest numbers from 284 to 240 and is set on a smaller footprint," the company said.

"In response to feedback from stakeholders including the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), the number of bungalows was reduced from 21 to 16, with no development to take place on undisturbed land," it said.

Melo Hili, CEO of Hili Ventures, said: "This important milestone affirms our vision to create a world-class hotel that elevates Malta'stourism product while respecting the unique character of Comino. We are proud to partner with Six Senses, a sustainability-focused hospitality brand, to deliver a carefully integrated and environmentally responsible destination."

Designed by Belvedere Architecture, the project will restore over 8,200 sqm of developed land back to its natural state, the company said. "More than 55,000 endemic trees, plants, and shrubs will be planted as part of the first reforestation initiative of its kind in Malta. The new Six Senses Comino will remain dedicated exclusively to tourism, in line with HV Hospitality's declared intentions and the existing land concession."

Momentum condemns the 'green light for Comino destruction'.

Momentum strongly opposed the proposed project.

"Comino is a Natura 2000 protected site, critical for its biodiversity, marine life, and natural beauty. The introduction of year-round tourism will disrupt the island's seasonal rhythm, which has allowed wildlife and ecosystems to recover during the quieter winter months. This development will remove that essential break, increasing commercial pressure on an already fragile environment," the Momentum party said.

The project fails to provide adequate waste management solutions, relying on off-island sewage treatment, it added. "This is a serious risk, especially considering the sensitive nature of Comino's ecosystem and the difficulty of managing waste effectively in such a remote location. The development will lead to a significant increase in light pollution, disturbing nocturnal species, bird migration, and the island's natural dark sky environment."

During the meeting, Momentum's Matthew Agius said that "despite claims of sustainability, this project represents environmental degradation under the guise of luxury tourism. Momentum calls for a full independent environmental reassessment and strict enforcement of Malta's laws protecting public spaces and the environment. Moreover, there is no guarantee of continued public access to the shoreline and beaches. The resort could lead to restrictions on local access, turning Comino into an exclusive destination for wealthy tourists, not the public. Comino belongs to everyone. Let's keep it natural, free, and truly protected."

Din l-Art Ħelwa expresses dismay over approval of 'unsustainable development'

Din l-Art Ħelwa, in a statement, expressed "profound dismay" at the decision by the Planning Authority.

"This decision is particularly alarming given Comino's status as a scheduled site that encompasses a Rural Conservation Area, Natura 2000 Site, Special Area of Conservation (with international significance) and a Nature Reserve. The proposal fundamentally fails to uphold the Local Plan policies aimed at preserving Comino as a premier destination for experiencing nature; nor does it present a genuine opportunity for future guests and tourists to enjoy the island's unique natural beauty and tranquility."

"Alarmingly, this development includes a staggering 44 swimming pools, which raises serious concerns about its sustainability and the potential environmental degradation it poses to Comino's delicate ecosystems. The swimming pools will require huge volumes of fresh water, enormous energy requirements to power the filtration and circulation pumps, chemical additives, regular discharges and will also cause significant light pollution at night. The construction of the pools and associated reservoirs will also require considerable amounts of rock excavation. The initial proposal included the establishment of a sewage recycling/treatment plant, an essential component for managing waste sustainably. However, this critical element has since disappeared from the project without any explanation for its exclusion, leaving concerns about the project's overall environmental impact, in this respect, totally unaddressed."

The decision to permit such a large-scale project on Comino contradicts the very principles of conservation that the site represents, DLH said.

ADPD statement

The Chairperson of ADPD-The Green Party, Sandra Gauci, in a statement said: "We've lost Comino too, despite the fact that it's supposed to have special protection as it is a Natura 2000 site. During the meeting, many environmental concerns were raised, including how sewage will be handled, light pollution, and public access to the beaches. What's the point of a 140-bed hotel when the government is talking about limiting tourist numbers? What direction is this-or rather, who exactly is steering it? Where is the vision they boast so much about? It's a dark day for the Maltese and Gozitan people of goodwill. The Planning Authority has shown that it is merely a rubber stamp approving permits, with no sign of serious or long-term planning."