Midi rebuts AD allegations on Manoel Island

The chief executive of the Tigné Point and Manoel Island developments, Ben Muscat has insisted that the masterplan for Manoel Island fully respects the public's need for open space and the right to enjoy the regeneration of the islet.

Reacting to claims by Alternattiva Demokratika that Manoel Island was being turned into a "monstrous building site for purely speculative purposes", Muscat said there was nothing speculative about the multi-million, decade-long project.

"Whether it suits AD's political campaigning or not, the fact remains that less than 30 per cent of the island is being redeveloped - and this on a brown-field basis, which means that the only areas being built are those which have already been disturbed and which have lain derelict or used as unofficial dumping sites for decades," Muscat said.

The Midi plc chief said that contrary to AD's claims of the 'lung' surrounding the restored Fort Manoel, all the green area that surrounds the fort will be retained, embellished and opened as a public park.

The rest of the island will include a low-lying 'Mediterranean style' marina village with open spaces, landscaped walkways and gardens, cycle trails, water features and public promenades, piazzas, cafes and restaurants.

The master plan also includes the rebuilding and upgrading of the Gzira United football ground and the bocci pitch, marina-related facilities and a shoreline walkway leading up to the Lazaretto buildings which, after an age of dilapidation, will be fully restored and reused as a combination of residential, hospitality, leisure and cultural spaces.

"This, and the restoration of numerous other historic structures like Fort Manoel, the customs house, the admiral's canteen, the bovine quarters and the old chapel form part of the largest restoration programme ever undertaken in Malta - an exercise which is expected to cost millions of euro," Muscat said.

"Describing MIDI's Manoel Island venture as lacking an ecological and social dimension is also completely unfair and unjust when we are investing so heavily to ensure that the project will have long-term sustainability and significant green credentials," he said. 

"What AD probably do not know is that MIDI will be investing considerably in alternative clean energy, energy efficient home management systems, rain water collection, the re-use of second class water and the planting of a large number of indigenous trees and shrubs. We will be making Manoel Island accessible and appealing once again by transforming a long suffering, derelict and vandalised location into one we can all be proud of," Muscat said.