Din l-Art Ħelwa, National Trust for Malta, expresses profound dismay at the decision by the Planning Authority to approve a controversial development project on Comino. This decision is particularly alarming given Comino’s status as a scheduled site that encompasses a Rural Conservation Area, Natura 2000 Site, Special Area of Conservation (with international significance) and a Nature Reserve.  The proposal fundamentally fails to uphold the Local Plan policies aimed at preserving Comino as a premier destination for experiencing nature; nor does it present a genuine opportunity for future guests and tourists to enjoy the island’s unique natural beauty and tranquility.

The approved project entails the demolition and redevelopment of a hotel, along with the destructive dismantling of existing standalone units to make way for 16 new residential bungalows. Alarmingly, this development includes a staggering 44 swimming pools, which raises serious concerns about its sustainability and the potential environmental degradation it poses to Comino’s delicate ecosystems. The swimming pools will require huge volumes of fresh water, enormous energy requirements to power the filtration and circulation pumps, chemical additives, regular discharges and will also cause significant light pollution at night.  The construction of the pools and associated reservoirs will also require considerable amounts of rock excavation.

The initial proposal included the establishment of a sewage recycling/treatment plant, an essential component for managing waste sustainably. However, this critical element has since disappeared from the project without any explanation for its exclusion, leaving concerns about the project’s overall environmental impact, in this respect, totally unaddressed.

The decision to permit such a large-scale project on Comino contradicts the very principles of conservation that the site represents. Comino’s breathtaking biodiversity, its rich cultural history and its natural beauty must be safeguarded for future generations and cannot be sacrificed for short-term commercial gain. The Planning Authority has once again failed to prioritise ecological balance and heritage conservation over private development interests.

“In a time of global awareness regarding climate change and habitat loss, it is disheartening to see such an approach taken by the Planning Authority with regard to one of Malta’s natural jewels,” said Patrick Calleja, Executive President of Din l-Art Ħelwa. “We must advocate for responsible and sustainable tourism that respects both our environment and heritage, rather than this short-sighted and destructive path of over-development.”

Din l-Art Ħelwa calls on all Malta’s citizens, environmental groups and concerned individuals to join together in advocating for Comino’s protection as a sanctuary for both people and wildlife alike.