Minister who negotiated Manoel Island concession says PN government insisted on foreshore access

The minister who negotiated the Manoel Island concession with developers Midi has told The Times that public access to the foreshore was a “key issue” during the talks.

“The government insisted on public rights to the foreshore, which necessarily implies access,” he said. “This was a major issue at the time and everyone at the negotiating table was highly conscious of it.”

Midi plc, the developers of Tigné Point, are locked in a battle with the Gzira mayor and activists from Kamp Emerġenza Ambjent who are seeking rightful access to the Manoel Island foreshore: the only route runs through parts of the island included in Midi’s concession but is designated on official plans as a path for “public pedestrian circulation”.

The Gżira local council has filed a judicial protest calling for the foreshore access to be restored, and activists from Kamp Emerġenza Ambjent broke through the gates two weeks ago, joined by scores of residents and the mayor.

According to the concession agreement, Midi has to complete all development by March 2023.

The company claims it is “under no obligation whatsoever… to provide public access to the foreshore over its private property”.

But the outline development permit issued by the Planning Authority in October 1999 included a condition that the foreshore be made accessible “throughout the construction and operational phases” of the private consortium’s developments at Manoel Island and Tigné.

For 16 years, main areas of Manoel Island were fenced off, preventing public access to the foreshore.