Jolly Jump water park does not need a permit, planning authority says
Kordin waterpark is legally established for sports, but catering and tourism licences remain up in the air
The Jolly Jump water park in Kordin does not require a planning permit as the site has been used for recreational purposes since 1968, the Planning Authority said.
Speaking to Times of Malta, the PA confirmed that the facility does not need permission to operate at the Kordin National Hockey Centre, meaning it can continue operating legally.
The PA noted the Kordin site has been used "for recreational and sports facilities at least since 1968, and therefore the recreational and sports use is legally established."
The authority also pointed to the Grand Harbour Local Plan of 2002, which designates the site specifically for sports facilities. Under the Development Planning Act, since the site’s recreational and sports use has been continuous, “the use of the site does not require planning permission, nor requires a licence from the Planning Authority to operate,” the Planning Authority claimed.
However, the authority said this still does not exonerate Jolly Jump from obtaining the necessary licences and clearances from other entities.
Times of Malta reported that the water park was operating without a planning permit or Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) catering licence. The planning application (PA 02917/26) filed by the park’s operator, Gard Group, in January remained at a preliminary stage despite the park having already opened to paying visitors.
The park’s snack bar, which sells burgers, pizzas, wraps, and cocktails, also appeared to be unlicensed according to public registers. The MTA itself had noted in its response to the planning application that the operator would need to apply for a catering licence once planning permission was granted.
The permit controversy came to light just days after the park garnered a wave of negative attention on a Facebook group called 'Are You Being Served'.
A woman, Raisa Vella, claimed she shattered both her feet on a water slide in August 2025, requiring surgery and leaving her unable to walk for five months.
Jolly Jump defended its safety procedures and said thousands had enjoyed the park without incident.
Jolly Jump advertises itself as "Malta’s first-ever inflatable waterpark" on a 10,100 square metre area featuring water slides and obstacles, a pool, food stalls, and on-site parking.