Midi submits proposed masterplan for the restoration and redevelopment of Manoel Island

Midi plc has announced that its revised masterplan for the restoration and redevelopment of Manoel Island has been submitted to the Planning Authority for its consideration and to Environmental and Resources Authority for Environmental Impact Assessment evaluation. A period of public consultation will now commence with both the PA and ERA.

In response to valuable feedback received from the broader community, the Gżira Local Council and the NGOs, Foster + Partners has significantly amended its earlier masterplan for Manoel Island. Through this process of engagement, Midi seeks to ensure that Manoel Island’s important heritage buildings and sites, foreshore and significant green park spaces are restored and preserved for the whole community to enjoy for the long term.

Midi is sensitive to the views of the local and wider communities and will continue to work closely and transparently with all stakeholders. Midi will continue to regularly listen, engage and provide updates throughout the project, ensuring the delivery of significant benefits to the community for the long term.

Masterplan

The proposed plans for the restoration and redevelopment of Manoel Island places a much stronger focus on improving public access and spaces and delivering benefits to the local communities as well as the general public by providing a cultural, social and economic centre. The works include €50m in the restoration of historical buildings and Midi expects that the total investment in Manoel Island, estimated at more than €400m, will significantly benefit local business, skills and apprenticeships during the construction phase. The Masterplan provides that: • Midi will preserve, improve and deliver more than 80,000 sq.m. of new green/family park space around Manoel Island, including Fort Manoel and the Island’s foreshore, for the general public to enjoy for the long term. • Fort Manoel is destined to become a centre for Culture and the Arts, comprising galleries, museums, shops, restaurants and a Parade Ground for open air events, all with full public access; the Chapel will also be used for community events, weddings and celebrations. This will help to ensure that Fort Manoel will become one of Malta’s most visited attractions. • The Lazzaretto, which has been adapted for various uses across the centuries, will be restored as a five-star hotel with serviced apartments. • The residential component of the development is concentrated at the western part of the island and will comprise of a series of low rise (three to four floors) urban blocks. • An animated retail offering is sensitively designed around the island’s open public spaces and pedestrian streets. There will not be a shopping centre complex. • The south shore yacht marina will be significantly upgraded to a world class yacht marina catering for a mix of small scale and large yachts. • Vehicle parking and circulation will be located below ground, thus creating a largely pedestrianised car-free streetscape. • Unique public spaces will be created at street level connecting the pedestrianised streets to a series of open spaces and piazzas for the enjoyment of the general public.

Community engagement

To coincide with the public consultation in respect of the EIA and Outline Development Application, the company is inviting the local community to view the revised plans.

Midi has launched a Manoel Island project website, www.manoelisland.com.mt, which will be supplemented by a static exhibition, located on Manoel Island from 17 November until 1 December. The exhibition will then be moved to the Pjazza at Tigné Point and remain on site from 4 December until 15 December. Both the website and the exhibition will showcase key elements of the Masterplan, detail the investment already made and explain the benefits that will be delivered both for the local community and Malta more widely.

All relevant information in relation to the exhibition will be made available on the project website where visitors can also register for updates.

In early 2018 Midi will supplement this engagement programme with a further series of island open days, enabling the community to see the extensive restoration work which has already been carried out and to view the proposed designs.

Alec Mizzi, chairman of Midi plc, commented: “I am pleased that Midi has submitted its proposed Masterplan, which, in line with its role of responsible developer, ensures the right balance between its obligations under the Deed of Emphyteusis granted by the Government of Malta to develop part of Manoel Island, with its obligations under the same deed to restore and preserve the heritage buildings on Manoel Island and significant green park space, creating an environment for both the whole community and residents to enjoy and one that we can all be proud of. Indeed, this Masterplan goes well beyond what is prescribed by the deed, in line with increased sensitivities over the years, and pursuant to discussions with the Gzira Local Council and environmental NGOs.

“We look forward to continuing to engage with the local and wider communities, working in partnership to deliver a wonderful high quality residential development set in one of our most important and beautiful public spaces that will be carefully restored and enhanced.”

Toby Blunt, senior partner at Foster + Partners commented: “Foster + Partners is proud to be designing the masterplan to redevelop Manoel Island, which proposes to restore and breathe new life into the much-loved historical buildings located throughout the island, sensitively integrating them with new buildings to create a destination for locals and visitors to Marsamxett Harbour – a true urban oasis in the heart of the city.”