Abela accused of betraying people on Manoel Island

Prime Minister Robert Abela has been accused of betraying the Maltese public after the government-appointed Planning Authority approved the sanctioning of Sharlon Pace’s illegal commercial padel complex on Manoel Island and authorised its expansion.

The Planning Board on Thursday voted 11-1 to regularise the 20 padel courts that had been built illegally on the site of the former Nicholl Ground while also approving the construction of a further 10 courts.

The decision came despite repeated government promises that Manoel Island would be transformed into a national park after the state spent around €43 million to regain control of the island from MIDI earlier this year.

Although Planning Authority officials had recommended sanctioning the illegal development against a fine of just €900, Planning Board chairman Emanuel Camilleri described the proposed penalty as “ridiculous” and successfully proposed a planning gain contribution of €25,000, inclusive of the sanctioning fine. Board member Romano Cassar was the only member to vote against the amended proposal.

The penalty could eventually be appealed by the developer.

Reacting to the decision, Moviment Graffitti said the Planning Authority had approved the illegal occupation of public land while allowing the commercial operation to expand.

“The PA has just approved Sharlon Pace’s 20 illegal padel courts on Manoel Island and granted him permission to build 10 more,” the NGO said.

Graffitti accused Pace of building “private padel courts on public land” and covering important archaeological remains, adding that the authority had “reinforced the rule of bullies”.

“Above all, today the Prime Minister’s promise that Manoel Island would be returned to the people has been betrayed,” the organisation said, insisting that its campaign to secure a genuine public park would continue.

Momentum also condemned the Planning Authority’s decision, arguing that it directly contradicts the government’s repeated commitment to transform Manoel Island into a public space for everyone rather than another commercial venture.

Party spokesman Arnold Cassola questioned why, after taxpayers had spent €43 million to recover Manoel Island, public land was once again being made available for private commercial exploitation.

“The expectation was clear. Manoel Island was meant to become a genuine public open space that everyone could enjoy, not another opportunity for private commercial gain,” Cassola said.

Momentum also criticised the €25,000 planning gain contribution as insignificant when compared to the commercial value of the development and warned that the decision once again rewarded the “build first, sanction later” culture that has long undermined Malta’s planning system.

The party called on the government to publish all agreements regulating the use of the site and to explain under what legal arrangements the commercial padel complex is being allowed to operate on public land, insisting that Manoel Island should be planned through a transparent public process before any further commercial development is permitted.

Labour’s Gzira Mayor Neville Chetcuti voted in favour of the sanctioning of the illegalities. The PN has not reacted yet to the controversial decision.