Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba has joined environmental campaigners in objecting to "stupid" and "senseless" plans to develop a series of one-floor villas on Comino.

Last week seven environmental organisations urged the public to oppose the project, which is part of proposed plans for the new Comino Hotel filed by Hili Group. 

In a Facebook post, Agius Saliba became one of the few politicians to openly oppose the project.

"I look forward to the day when planning applications for stupid and senseless projects such as the bungalows on Comino never see the light of day because we cannot dream of green spaces when we do not safeguard the existing natural spaces," he wrote. 

Alex Agius Saliba at the European Parliament.

Agius Saliba's position is similar to that of PN member and prospective MEP candidate Peter Agius, who on Monday also expressed outrage at the Comino development proposal. 

Families who enjoyed relaxing on the island would have to put up with it being turned into a construction site for some years, he said, and sand and nature would be replaced by "cement and concrete."

"Instead of a family location, we now want to turn Comino into an island for Russians, Saudis and others who can buy a part of it," Agius wrote. 

What is being proposed?

Environmental campaigners say the plans would see the site of the former Comino Hotel redeveloped, including the replacement of nine derelict bungalows at Santa Marija Bay by a much larger complex of 19 villas complete with a convenience store and amenities.

The villas are intended to be leased on long- and short-term lets.  

Comino is designated a rural conservation area, a nature reserve, a special area of conservation, a special protection area, an important bird area of international and EU importance, a Natura 2000 site, a bird sanctuary, and a dark sky heritage site.

The developers have pledged to "respect and uphold Comino's Natura 2000 status".

They said on Saturday that their intention is to manage the new 71-suite hotel and 19 serviced bungalows as “a singular hospitality operation, targeted solely at travellers seeking rest and relaxation at sustainable properties".

Agius Saliba welcomed the new government agency Project Green, set up to handle major greening projects, and said he looked forward to the long-promised roofing of the road leading down to the Santa Venera tunnels, with the roof being used as a garden.

But he said existing green spaces needed to be preserved, including the garden at Gżira seafront, part of which is to be taken over by a petrol station.

Later in comments under his own post, the MEP also expressed his disagreement with plans for the development of a new St Albert College in Għaxaq.

He said the Church should lead by example and not take up some of the little remaining agricultural land in that village.

On Monday, PN MEP candidate Peter Agius also criticised the planned Comino development, saying on Facebook that whoever was taking such decisions was showing no regard to the people's relaxation and the island's environmental characteristics. 

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