Following reports of unauthorised construction, Malta's Planning Authority is probing Gżira United Football Club's nearly complete padel courts on Manoel Island, within Valletta's UNESCO buffer zone. The works on leased land precede a pending application and government plans for a national park.
The Planning Authority (PA) has opened an investigation into padel courts under construction on Manoel Island by Gżira United Football Club, observed nearly complete as of March 11, 2026, without approved permission. This follows initial complaints reported earlier this week from the Manoel Island – Post Għalina campaign and Momentum, amid plans to transform the island into a public national park.
The probe targets works linked to planning application PA/07995/25, submitted in November 2025 by club president Charlon Pace. Covering 6,700 square metres, it proposes reinstating football grounds with variable sports uses—including demountable glass structures for padel courts—and sanctioning existing features. The application is still in the screening phase for potential environmental studies.
The campaign, with over 29,000 signatures for a public park, and Momentum support sports facilities but demand legal compliance and assessments. Gżira United insists the project is on designated leased government land, separate from broader island proposals, to boost sports participation and club sustainability.
The issue arises during government talks with the MIDI consortium to acquire Manoel Island, with Prime Minister Robert Abela suggesting a deal soon. No PA enforcement or stop order has been issued as of March 12, 2026.
