Żminijietna urges government to block Manoel Island padel courts permit

Żminijietna – Voice of the Left has called on the government to take all lawful steps available to prevent the development of the Manoel Island padel courts from proceeding, days after the Planning Authority sanctioned the illegally built courts.

The organisation said the Government's plan to grant planning permission for the Manoel Island development before public consultation undermines commitments to transparency and erodes trust, which were to be considered during the Development Brief drafting process.

The Planning Authority approved Gżira United FC's application on Thursday to regularise 20 illegally built padel courts on the 6,700 sq.m site, against a sanctioning fine of €900 and a planning gain contribution of €25,000.

The board also approved an additional 10 courts.

Gżira Mayor Neville Chetcuti voted in favour, while the only dissenting vote came from NGO representative Romano Cassar, who criticised the "build now, sanction later" approach.

Żminijietna warned that the development risked shaping the island's future before residents had a say. "Permitting such development sends the wrong message. Even if described as temporary, investments of this nature are rarely made without expectations of long-term use.

This raises legitimate concerns that the permit could prejudice the future planning of the National Park and limit the scope for meaningful public participation," it said.

The organisation called on the government to honour its pre-election commitment to full public participation in shaping Manoel Island's future, and to use every lawful mechanism available to ensure no development prejudices the creation of the National Park.

Żminijietna also announced it will support the protest organised by Moviment Graffitti next Friday in defence of Manoel Island as a public national park.