Updated: 'Pembroke under assault': Residents and NGOs gravely concerned by sports complex plan

Several organisations on Tuesday expressed their grave concerns at the Government’s announcement that a sports complex will be built in Pembroke.

The sports complex will host at least two football clubs and include at least one stadium with a capacity of upwards of 2,000 spectators. This will be built on a green area opposite a residential zone, in an environmentally sensitive area very close to the Natura 2000 Park in Pembroke, the statement said.

Residents in Pembroke are gravely concerned about this new development, which adds to a growing list of enormous projects engulfing their locality – the db City Centre project, Villa Rosa, and the Chinese Embassy. Back in 2017, we joined Pembroke residents in the fight against the development of a private school on this green area. The battle was won through the joint pressure of residents, the Pembroke Local Council at the time, and other NGOs.

This project also comes in the wake of Government signalling its intention to change the Local Plans to allow intense commercialisation of sports facilities across Malta and Gozo, the NGOs added. Such a change would have a detrimental effect on the locality of Pembroke, which already hosts three football clubs, a number of padel complexes, and other sports facilities, and which would now be able to expand into large commercial spaces that have no benefit to residents or the community.

This is an environmentally sensitive area overlooking the Natura 2000 Park in Pembroke. A development of this scale will negatively impact the park through light, noise, and traffic pollution, the NGOs said.

Moreover, Pembroke residents were not consulted on this project, especially in the context of several large developments that are already having an adverse impact on the locality, its quality of life, and its surrounding environment. For example, this project will bring even more cars and traffic to a locality that is already heavily congested.

In 2012, Valletta FC were awarded a sizeable piece of land in Ħal Farruġ to develop a sports village. Despite this, they are now being given yet another sizeable piece of public land to develop another sports complex, the NGOs said

The organisations call on the Government to withdraw this proposal immediately. Although this green area is technically within the development zone, it is in fact natural land and an essential public open space. The Government must incorporate it within the Natura 2000 park and assure Pembroke residents that no such development will take place. We must not turn Pembroke into a dumping ground for all sorts of intense and unsustainable commercial activities that will lead to it becoming an extension of Paceville. 

https://parlament.mt/en/petition?id=326 

Organisations 

BirdLife Malta

Din l-Art Ħelwa

Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar

Għawdix

Moviment Graffitti

Nature Trust Malta 

Ramblers Association Malta

Momentum supports Pembroke residents’ petition against proposed land transfer

In a separate statement, Momentum expressed its full support for the parliamentary petition launched by Pembroke residents calling for the cancellation of the proposed transfer of public land in Pembroke to Valletta FC.

While recognising the importance of investing in sports infrastructure and community facilities, Momentum believes that this proposal raises serious environmental, social, and governance concerns that cannot be ignored.

Momentum leader Arnold Cassola said “The Pembroke site in question is one of the few remaining open spaces in the area and lies adjacent to a Natura 2000 site. Its development risks irreversible damage to biodiversity, increased pressure on surrounding ecosystems, and the gradual erosion of Malta’s already limited natural spaces. The potential impacts of noise, traffic congestion, and light pollution would also significantly affect the quality of life of nearby residents.”

Momentum noted that the land is estimated to be worth between €75 million and €100 million. Any transfer of public land of such high value must be handled with the highest level of transparency, accountability, and in the public interest. Rushed decisions without proper scrutiny undermine public trust.

Momentum echoed the petition’s call for the government to halt the proposed transfer and, at a minimum, ensure that a full, independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessment is carried out. This process must be accompanied by meaningful public consultation with affected communities.

Cassola added: “We believe that sports development and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive. With proper planning, alternative sites can be identified that meet the needs of Valletta FC without sacrificing valuable natural and residential environments. Momentum therefore appeals to the elected 10th District MPs to immediately table a motion In parliament for the rezoning of the area, that is to be added to the Natura 2000 area in Pembroke”.

 

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