Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541360
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 NOVEMBER 2025 NEWS COMINO RULING: Can garigue restoration Can the destruction of protected garigue within examines the EPRT's decision on the Hili Ventures THE planning appeals tribunal has confirmed the permit for a 140-bed hotel, 16 villas, and 44 swimming pools at San Niklaw and Santa Marija bays in Comino. The development will replace the disused Comino Hotel com- plex, which closed in 2022. The tribunal's ruling confirmed the loss of 1,220sq.m of exist- ing garigue but concluded this was offset by the "restoration" of 2,340sq.m of garigue in other de- graded areas and a "landscape res- toration" over 8,244sq.m of land. Garigue is a natural habitat characterised by limestone rocky ground with a rugged surface, known as karst, hosting shrubs that are resistant to drought and exposure. This is considered to be the most species-diverse habitat in Malta. But recreating garigue in areas where it no longer exists may prove difficult to achieve. This is one of the conclusions of an expert report presented on behalf of nine appellant NGOs penned by Jonathan Henwood, a seasoned environmental scientist and senior lecturer on various environmental topics, including restoration ecology. Henwood documented multiple endemic and protected species within the Comino development footprint and cautioned that the proposed restoration scheme was scientifically uncertain. His report concludes that restored plant- ing "can never be considered as a direct replacement for existing habitats whether pristine or de- graded." In its decision the EPRT acknowledged these findings but reasoned those compensatory measures alongside legally bind- ing conditions, were adequate to satisfy conservation objectives. The tribunal said the project would not adversely affect the integrity of the Natura 2000 site, allowing the redevelopment to proceed. Henwood's assessment Henwood's environmental site assessment examined the state of protected flora, fauna, and habi- tats, including garigue, karst, and ermes, in the zones proposed for development. These areas are located in an internationally rec- ognised Special Area of Conserva- tion (SAC) and Natura 2000 site. Henwood confirmed that a number of areas earmarked for development are designated as garigue within Comino's Natura 2000 management plan and are legally protected. This includes seven distinct areas immediately located next to the existing bun- galows and two areas next to the hotel. Henwood's report states that removal or disturbance of these habitats would contravene the Natura 2000 management plan objectives, specifically the provi- sion that requires the size of the garigue areas to be "maintained". Based on a site survey conduct- ed in August 2025, Henwood de- tailed the floral species present across the garigue set to be im- pacted by the Comino develop- ment. Among the protected endemic species recorded were Anthyllis hermanniae melitensis, common- ly known as the Maltese Shrubby Kidney Vetch (il-ħatba s-sew- da), and Euphorbia melitensis, or Maltese Spurge (it-tengħud tax- xagħri), along with other Euphor- bia species. Another specifically listed protected species found was Limonium melitense. The survey also documented Garigue found in the area which will be taken up