Many, including KEA activists, take part in Manoel Island open day
Thousands flocked to Manoel Island over the weekend as the historic fort was opened to the public.
The MIDI consortium said it organised the open day in order to give the public an opportunity to view the restoration works to date and to visit the 18th century fort, which overlooks the Marsamxett harbour, in all its former glory.
Guides held scheduled tours in English and Maltese while guests were also treated to lectures with a focus on the history of the fort throughout the ages, the philosophy behind the restoration methodology and the restoration process itself. There were re-enactments and band displays.
In the meantime, activists from Kamp Emerġenza Ambjent distributed flyers with information on Manoel Island and MIDI’s “shameful behaviour.”
The group, along with the Gżira local council, has been fighting for all-year-round public access and opposes MIDI’s plans to develop part of the island into luxury properties and commercial premises.
“During this initiative the activists are witnessing the people’s anger at MIDI plans to transform Manoel Island into a commercial zone with two hotels in Fort Manoel and the Lazaretto hospital, villas, a casino, a helipad, shopping malls and a water taxi pontoon,” KEA said in a statement.
MIDI was granted the concession to develop Manoel Island in 2000 and plans to develop the site, including the construction of a Mediterranean-style village and yacht marina have long been known. However, recent changes to the master plan have led to a fresh controversy.
A number of environmental NGOs and other organisations are calling on the government to revoke the concession and turn Manoel Island into a natural park. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat recently stated that Manoel Island must remain a green lung in the Gzira area.
Last summer another controversy erupted over public access to the foreshore. The stand-off saw activists break into Manoel Island, cutting up fences, to allow the public to shoreline. Eventually a form of compromise with the developers was found.