Nationalist Party backs Valletta FC campus plan

The Nationalist Party has affirmed its support for the proposed transfer of public land in Pembroke to Valletta FC for the development of a football campus, even as residents mount opposition to the project through a parliamentary petition.

Opposition leader Alex Borg said the party would back the motion when it reaches parliament. “The Nationalist Party welcomes Valletta FC’s Football Campus proposal. This is an investment not only in one club, but in young people, sport and the wider community, and for that reason it has our full support,” Borg said. “I can confirm that, once this process reaches its parliamentary stage, we will be supporting it.”

The government announced the project in February, when Prime Minister Robert Abela said a motion would be tabled in parliament to grant a tract of land in Pembroke to Valletta FC. The site, currently designated in the local plan for office development and private residences, is estimated to be worth between €75 million and €100 million. Draft designs include a full-size pitch, a five-a-side pitch, facilities for the club’s administration and academy, and a futsal facility, the first of its kind in Malta. Part of the site would also go to Swieqi United.

Valletta FC president Claudio Grech welcomed the opposition’s position. “The Valletta FC Football Campus will shape into a centre of excellence, and it is in the national interest that it is backed across the board,” he said. “Today, Valletta FC moves one step closer to securing, for the first time in its history, a home it can truly call its own.”

However, not everyone is in favour. A parliamentary petition launched by Pembroke residents calls for the transfer to be rejected or deferred, and has so far collected over 1,600 signatures. The petition raises concerns over the loss of open space, proximity to a Natura 2000 site, and potential impacts including increased traffic, noise, light pollution, and habitat disturbance. It asks that, at minimum, a full environmental and social impact assessment be carried out alongside meaningful public consultation before any decision is taken.

Valletta FC said it would continue to engage with all stakeholders, including the Pembroke Local Council, as the project moves forward.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​