Graffitti welcomes suspension of Comino hotel works pending appeal

Moviment Graffitti has thanked members of the public for their support in its campaign to “Save Comino” after the Planning Tribunal temporarily suspended an Environment and Resources Authority permit allowing the uprooting of 800 trees and the start of heavy works for Hili Group’s proposed hotel and villas on the island.

The decision, taken by the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal (EPRT) on Tuesday, means the works cannot proceed while the appeal against the ERA permit is being heard.

Several NGOs had appealed the ERA’s decision, with a crowdfunding campaign launched to finance the legal challenge reaching and exceeding its target within hours.

A separate, related legal case was filed in 2025 against the Planning Authority’s approval of a development comprising a 140-bed hotel, 16 villas and 44 swimming pools on Comino.

According to Graffitti, the proposed project would increase the built volume and footprint compared with the existing structures and introduce intensive activity to the nature reserve throughout the year.

Earlier this year, the court upheld one of the arguments put forward by the NGOs and sent the case back to the tribunal for reassessment.

Graffitti said it would continue to oppose any works linked to the proposed hotel and villas while the Planning Authority permit remains subject to a court challenge.

The group said this included demolition, excavation and construction works, as well as the uprooting of trees, arguing that the permit could still be substantially amended or revoked as a result of the ongoing proceedings.

It urged members of the public to report any works related to the project before the legal challenge is definitively decided.

Reports can be sent to Moviment Graffitti by email at [email protected] or by WhatsApp on 7762 1113.