The new American university in the south has to be built on land in an outside development zone or the project will not be financially viable, a government source has confirmed.

Any ODZ land being used for agriculture has a much lower value than land allocated for development, and that is the price government is prepared to pay.

The land required is 90,000 square metres – the site identified is mostly public land, which also brings down the cost. But 10,000 square metres of the total consists of seven areas of privately owned land, which lies at the centre.

The owners include people renowned during the era of controversial former public works Labour minister Lorry Sant: Michael Axisa (il-Lay Lay), Piju Camilleri, Joe Chetcuti, Norman Clews, Joe Formosa, Joe Camilleri, Paul Abela and Manuel Farrugia.

The land will be given to the investors, Sadeen Group, through a concession on temporary emphyteusis authorised by a parliamentary resolution. It is not yet known how long the period will be. The contract for the land will stipulate that it can only be used for educational purposes. It is understood the government has made an offer to each landowner within the assigned area and is awaiting an answer from the individuals involved. The negotiations are not easy, but the government always has the option to expropriate land.

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