MIDI publishes new master plan for Manoel Island

MIDI plc has published a new master plan for Manoel Island, reducing the area of land planned for new development.

Proposed development on the site has been a topic of controversy for a number of years.

Last December, it was decided that the Manoel Island project is to be reviewed in full by the Planning Authority.

The Environment and Planning Review Tribunal had annulled the environment impact assessment (EIA) and outline development permit for the master plan for the island, after it was uncovered that the cultural heritage report which was part of the EIA was drawn up by a close family member (the son) of one of MIDI’s directors.

Earlier this month, it was announced that all construction works on Manoel Island had been suspended by the Planning Authority until a final decision is taken on the application for a master plan for the area. This was done after concerns were raised by ENGOs, including Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar. The PA said that any works that have already been approved have been suspended and three full development permits will be non-executable until a decision is taken on the outline application.

Now, MIDI has made changes to the master plan, among other things reducing the footprint of proposed new buildings on the island. MIDI Plc said in a statement that the revised masterplan contemplates that the footprint of the new buildings to be developed on Manoel Island will be scaled down from 26% to approximately 10% of the site area and the gross floor area of the new buildings will total 55,000sqm compared to the 95,000sqm as contemplated in the Deed of Emphyteusis entered into with Government. MIDI also confirmed that it has submitted a revised Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to the Environmental Resources Authority (ERA).

According to a summary of changes document dated 15 January 2021 submitted by the developer’s architect to the Planning Authority (made available to the public on 17 February 2021), the developer had over the years conducted ‘intensive investigative studies’ of all sites of former cemeteries that were to be affected by excavation works.

“The result of the process confirmed and uncovered remnants of former cemeteries indicated in the Cultural Heritage Report of 2018. This led the client to engage in an extensive redesign exercise of the master plan proposal originally presented two years ago. The underlying principle of the updated master plan brief has been to totally omit any development on the former cemetery sites.”

The summary of changes document reads that the decrease in development implies that more of the site will be converted into open space. “The new master plan proposal provides an additional increase of 18,000sqm of open space for the enjoyment of the general public, when compared to the old master plan. The total amount of open space in the new master plan now stands at 192,000sqm, i.e. more than two thirds of Manoel island will remain open space.”

This includes two significant open spaces, namely an 80,000sqm Glacis Park surrounding Fort Manoel and a 35,000sqm open space at the entrance of the Island.

In terms of building heights, the summary of changes document reads that they do not exceed the heights of the 2017 master plan.

MIDI Plc’s statement on the proposed new master plan reads that the revised master plan also contemplates a complete overhaul of the existing yacht marina in order to provide safe berthing for yachts of varying size. “However, protection will be provided by a floating breakwater thus mitigating the environmental impact associated with developing a solid breakwater. Furthermore, the existing slipway, which is situated on the north side of the Island and used by local enthusiasts, will be upgraded as part of the development.”

“The commercial component in the revised master plan is sensitively designed around the Cattle Shed and the Customs House to complement the new public area which is being provided in the heart of the development.”

MIDI said that no efforts have been spared to ensure that all the heritage buildings will be restored and given a new lease of life, “in particular the Lazzaretto which will be used for mixed use and hospitality purposes. The restoration of the heritage buildings will be undertaken at a cost estimated at more than €40 million, which includes the works already undertaken to restore Fort Manoel to its former glory.”