Petition calls for reversal of Pembroke land transfer

A petition has been launched opposing the transfer of a substantial area of virgin public land in Pembroke, approved through Parliamentary Motion 472 for stadium development. 

The petition, created by David-John Zammit, opened for signatures on 25 June and will close on 10 October. It comes after the first petition, opened in April under the 14 legislation, received over 2000 signatures.

This comes as the government was set to table a motion in Parliament back in February, granting a tract of land in Pembroke to Valletta FC for the development of sports facilities and wider community use.

"This land belongs to all of us. Protect Malta's natural heritage. Protect our land. Protect our future," the petition states, summing up the appeal to Parliament, the Government and relevant public authorities.

The petition states the site is one of Malta's last large undeveloped natural areas and warns that losing it would be a permanent loss for Maltese citizens and future generations, not just Pembroke. It notes that the land lies next to a Natura 2000 protected area and suggests it should be added to the Natura 2000 network to better protect its habitats and biodiversity.

The petitioners request assessments, including an Article 6(3) Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats Directive, Strategic Environmental Assessment, Environmental Impact Assessment, Health Impact Assessment, Disability Impact Assessment, plus evaluations of cumulative impact, landscape and visual impact, and biodiversity net gain.

These, the petition says, are not procedural formalities but essential safeguards for ecological integrity, public health, accessibility and long-term environmental sustainability.

Among its concerns, the petition raises the impacts of increased noise, light pollution, and changes to community character in Pembroke and neighbouring localities, without proper consultation, as well as additional traffic on an already congested road network. It also highlights the proximity of schools, childcare centres and facilities for persons with special needs, calling for a full assessment of the risks posed to children and vulnerable members of society before any decision is taken.

The petition further calls on the Government to honour environmental pledges made during recent electoral campaigns, which it says appear inconsistent with the transfer of virgin land for development.

The petition makes five requests: reverse the Pembroke land transfer approved by Motion 472; if not legally possible, suspend implementation until an independent review of environmental, social, health, and traffic impacts; preserve the site as public open space; protect residents, schools, childcare, and vulnerable groups from overdevelopment; and safeguard the ecological integrity of the nearby Natura 2000 site from harm.

The petition closes by describing Malta as one of the most densely developed countries in Europe, with remaining natural spaces that are, it says, precious, finite and irreplaceable. It urges Parliament and the Government to prioritize long-term environmental protection over short-term political or commercial interests and to take all necessary steps to protect Malta's remaining natural heritage.