NGOs appeal Planning Authority's approval of Manoel Island padel courts

Three NGOs have filed an appeal before the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal (EPRT) seeking to overturn the Planning Authority's approval of 30 padel courts at Manoel Island. 

The appeal comes after padel courts that were illegally built on the island slated to become a national park were sanctioned last July. The Planning Authority approved Gżira United FC’s application to regularise the illegal padel courts, while also approving an additional 10 courts on the 6,700sq.m site.

In the 33-page appeal filed through their lawyer Darren Carabott, the appellants argue that the Planning Authority wrongly applied sanctioning regulations, which they claim incentivises developers to bypass planning rules and later seek approval. 

The NGOs also dispute the official description of the structures as "lightweight" and "demountable," pointing out that the development features foundations, glass and metal structures, artificial turf, and floodlighting that took weeks to construct and cannot reasonably be regarded as easily demountable.

The appeal stresses the site's environmental and cultural sensitivity, as it lies within strategic view corridors and an Area of High Landscape Value, close to the Grade 1 scheduled Fort Manoel. 

The appellants argue that the visual and heritage impacts of the fencing and floodlights were not adequately assessed. 

They also question the absence of a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), noting the site falls within the proposed buffer zone of the Valletta UNESCO World Heritage Site.

While the NGOs state they support sports facilities within a public heritage and recreation park, they object to a private commercial operation occupying the land immediately after a campaign secured access to the island. 

The appellants are requesting that the EPRT annul the Planning Authority’s approval and refuse the development application.

The appeal was lodged by Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Moviment Graffitti, and Zminijietna - Voice of the Left.