The Manoel Island Post Għalina campaign has accused developers of building at least six new padel courts without a planning permit while a public consultation on the island's future as a national park continues. The group argues that this construction undermines the ongoing process. MIDI plc denies involvement, stating it does not possess the area.
The Manoel Island Post Għalina campaign, led by activists from Moviment Graffitti and Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, raised alarms over the construction of new padel courts on the island. In a post on Instagram, the campaign highlighted that the works are occurring adjacent to existing facilities near the entrance, without any apparent public permit. This comes as a public consultation on designating Manoel Island as a national nature and heritage park remains active, allowing stakeholders to provide input on its future.
Last year, the campaign collected more than 29,000 signatures in a petition urging the government to return the island to public use. They noted that the only relevant planning application, submitted by MIDI plc in 2023 for padel courts, was not approved. No other permits accounting for the current construction have been made public.
The group expressed concerns that expanding private sporting infrastructure at this stage could enlarge the footprint of commercial activities, complicating efforts to align development with public interest after the consultation ends. "We are concerned that expanding private sporting infrastructure at this stage could increase the footprint of existing commercial activities, potentially making it more difficult for the government to enforce or revise plans in line with the public interest once the consultation process concludes," the campaign stated.
In response, MIDI plc issued a statement clarifying its position. "In terms of the emphyteutical deed between government and the company, possession of the area of Manoel Island on which the padel courts are currently being erected is not held by MIDI plc and the company is not undertaking these works," a spokesperson said, describing references to the company as "incorrect and misleading."
Campaigners emphasized that community workshops during the consultation valued sport and recreation in the park's future but insisted such facilities should integrate into a comprehensive masterplan rather than proceed piecemeal. They called on authorities to investigate the works, halt unauthorized construction, and pause new planning applications until a masterplan reflecting community input is in place. "Manoel Island belongs to the public, and decisions about its future must respect both the law and the democratic process," the campaign asserted.
