Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545062
PEMBROKE residents and ac- tivists have questioned why the Labour and Nationalist parties are supporting a massive public land transfer to accommodate a commercial sports complex. Angered by government's de- cision to hand over a large tract of land to Valletta FC for the de- velopment of a sports complex, residents yesterday asked what changed when plans for a school on the same site had been previ- ously dropped. The transfer of land to Vallet- ta FC has also been endorsed by the Nationalist Party, although district MP Albert Buttigieg was among those protesting against the development. Representatives from ADPD and Momentum were present for the protest in solidarity with Pembroke residents. The land is currently desig- nated in the local plan for office development and private resi- dences and is estimated to have a market value of between €75 million and €100 million. Addressing activists and res- idents on Saturday, Moviment Graffitti activist Andre Callus noted that the site was once slated for the development of a school, but after pressure from the community, the PL and PN dropped the idea. Callus clarified that activists are not against any football club having their own facilities, but insisted Pembroke is surround- ed by massive development pro- jects already, and the area is one of the last remaining open spac- es. He explained that under cur- rent and proposed planning laws, sports facilities can be turned in- to massive commercial centres. "Under the Legal Notice on the Commercialisation of Sport Fa- cilities, land designated for sport can also include development such as retail outlets, shopping malls, supermarkets and cater- ing establishments," he said. Callus noted the dissonance between current political prom- ises to increase open spaces and the destruction of existing green areas. "Imagine the floodlights and football grounds placed right here next to residents. What madness is this?" Callus ad- dressed both major parties and told them that there is still time for them to change their minds. Pembroke residents also spoke at the event, and noted that the entire country, not just Pem- broke, is choking on develop- ment and traffic. "This area is Project Green brought to us by God's hands," one resident remarked. A representative from Flimk- ien għal Ambjent Aħjar asked: "How much more can we build?" He noted that communities and people are reeling from the pres- sure of development. The protest was attended by residents and NGOs Moviment Graffitti, Nature Trust Malta, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Ramblers' Association Malta, Friends of the Earth Malta, and Għawdix. 7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 MAY 2026 ELECTION 2026 NEWS COURT NOTICE The Registrar of Civil Courts and Tribunals informs that the Civil Court, First Hall ordered the following sales by auction: Date Time Judicial Sale No Place Items 03 rd June, 2026 11.00am 1/26 – KRZ Bezzina Ship Repair Yard Limited (C 8570) Vs Dr Charmaine Cherrett et noe Room number 78 nearby the Archives, Level -1, Courts of Justice, Republic Street, Belt Valletta Vessel named M/V Turu with official number IMO 8408777, registered in Panama, Call Sign HP4694, gross tonnage of 457 tons, length of 52.61 meters and a width of 8.6 meters, built in 1985. Further details can be obtained from the website: https://ecourts.gov.mt/onlineservices/JudicialSales The bidders taking part in the auction must present their identity card Gaetana Aquilina For the Registrar Civil Courts and Tribunals Pembroke residents up in arms over massive football facility on unspoilt land PL AND PN YOU HAVE A PROBLEM Pembroke residents and environmental activists protest against use of unspoilt government land for construction of massive sports complex • Residents lament locality's suffocation by development MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt