'We were used’: Protesters condemn approval of Manoel Island padel courts

Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar is appealing the Planning Authority’s decision to sanction the illegally constructed padel courts on Manoel Island as scores of protesters gathered on the site on Friday evening.

Speaking during the protest organised by Moviment Graffitti, FAA coordinator Astrid Vella said the NGO was “prepared to go all the way”.

Another NGO, Din l-Art Ħelwa, has already expressed its intention to appeal the decision, saying the ruling was a “betrayal” of the government’s promise to transform the island into a national park.

“We are not going to accept this,” Vella said on Friday.

Earlier this month, the PA sanctioned 20 padel courts illegally built on Manoel Island, grnating permission for another 10 to be built while imposing a €25,000 fine for the illegal works.

The decision sparked widespread anger from several NGOs as they questioned the lack of heritage assessment, warning the decision could have “perverse implications”.  

Describing the nine-year battle against MIDI as a “David and Goliath” battle, on Friday Vella said “we will get rid of this too, just as we got rid of them”.

She pointed out that UNESCO has long been warning the government it was “not happy” with development around the harbour area. Malta is seeking UNESCO World Heritage status for its historic military architecture under the nomination dossier "The Maltese Fortifications of the Knights of St John," which includes key sites like Valletta, Mdina and the Cittadella in Gozo.

“Robert Abela is ready to ignore UNESCO to satisfy his friend’s demands,” Vella said.

Moviment Graffitti activist Joseph Florian said developer Sharlon Pace “did not have Gzira residents’ wishes to heart”.

Addressing the camera during the live stream of the protest, Florian delivered a direct message to Prime Minister Robert Abela: “You went against the 30,000 people who signed the petition. You promised them this will be a national park. That promise was made not only to the 30,000 petitioners but to the whole electorate.”

He said all those who had joined the Manoel Island Post Ghalina campaign against MIDI now felt “disappointed and betrayed”.

“We were used like a Trojan Horse,” Florian said. “They used us to get rid of a ‘monster’ company called MIDI but now they are letting their own people in. This is not the project we were promised.”

Manoel Island and Fort Tigné were officially returned to the public in May after the government and MIDI signed a contract ending a concession handed to the consortium 26 years ago.

MIDI had requested €78 million but the government ultimately paid €43 million.

Last week, former Gżira mayor Conrad Borg Manché argued that Gżira United Football Club has "no legal title" over the Manoel Island land occupied by the controversial padel courts because the club's rights were extinguished when the government granted the concession to MIDI in 2000.