PA investigates Manoel Island padel courts as works near completion
A planning application mentioning the courts is still in its very first stage
The Planning Authority is investigating claims that Gżira United Football Club is illegally constructing padel courts on the site of its Manoel Island pitch.
The investigation follows an official complaint by the Manoel Island – Post Għalina campaign to the PA’s compliance and enforcement directorate.
The works were first flagged by Momentum.
The PA also confirmed the site was the subject of a planning application – PA/07995/25 - by Gżira United FC. The application is still in the screening phase - the very first phase of the planning process in which authorities examine a development proposal to decide whether it needs detailed environmental studies before it can proceed.
The application, submitted in November by club president Charlon Pace and covering an area of 6,700 square metres, proposes the “reinstatement of football grounds (proposed reinstatement of sports ground having variable sports uses with demountable glass structures and part sanctioning of same).”
When Times of Malta visited the site on Wednesday afternoon, the courts appeared to be near completion.
The courts appeared to be near completion on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Matthew MirabelliThe club had previously denied any wrongdoing. The project, it insisted on Monday, related specifically to sports facilities within a defined area of government land leased to the club, and should be understood separately from broader proposals concerning other parts of Manoel Island.
"These facilities are being developed to enhance the club's sporting offerings, encourage greater community participation in sports, and ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the club," a club spokesperson said.
However, the club did not reply to questions about whether it had planning permission to carry out the works.
In November, Gzira United FC submitted an application, which is still in its first stage, to construct padel courts. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Robert Abela said earlier this month that talks with the MIDI consortium for the transfer of the island are expected to be concluded in a matter of weeks.
However, Momentum questioned why the padel park was being built on Manoel Island if the island was to be handed to the government to be transformed into a national park.