Environmental group Front Harsien ODZ has written to the Prime Minister, the Archbishop, the Dominican Provincial and the planning authority chairman expressing concern at the possibility of St Albert's College being developed on outside development zone land.

It noted that St Albert's College's current location was inadequate and that an alternative site should be found.

“We therefore propose that the applicants of the proposed development withdraw the pending application at Ghaxaq and that concurrently, the government of Malta and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority commit to identify alternative sites for the college.

“Such sites should not be on ODZ land but can include, among others, brownfield sites, sites previously used by the government for purposes such as schooling, and other government-owned land.

“We believe that through goodwill, trust and mutual respect, a win-win solution can be found as regards the proposed development.

“We trust in your good faith to resolve the matter and thus close this controversy once and for all, to everyone's benefit,” they said.

The Archbishop has told the Times of Malta that if there was another alternative for the school, precious land “should not be sacrificed” even though the proposed development is in line with the local plan.