Planning Authority Sanctions Manoel Island Padel Courts, Imposes Fine
· Updated
In brief
- The Planning Authority has approved a permit for the padel courts on Manoel Island, which were built illegally.
- The decision includes a €25,000 penalty for the illegal development.
- The permit was granted by the Planning Authority's board after the general election.
The Planning Authority (PA) has sanctioned the illegally-built padel courts on Manoel Island, granting them a permit despite their controversial construction. The decision was made by the PA's planning board on Thursday, following the recent general election.
The permit approval comes with a €25,000 penalty imposed for the illegal development. The courts were developed by Gżira FC president Sharlon Pace.
Newsbook reported that the permit was granted after the general election. The Shift News highlighted that PA officials had previously recommended against the illegal development.
Momentum has strongly criticised the Planning Authority's recent decision to sanction 20 illegally built padel courts on Manoel Island and approve the construction of an additional 10.
The movement argued that the site should be preserved as a public space rather than being used for private commercial interests. This criticism follows the Planning Authority's board granting a permit for the courts, which also included a €25,000 penalty for the illegal development.
The Planning Authority (PA) has approved the sanctioning of 20 padel courts that were built without permission on Manoel Island. In addition to regularising the existing structures, the Authority also gave the green light for the development of 10 more courts on the site.
This decision was taken during a Planning Authority board meeting, where members voted 11 in favour and 1 against the proposal. The approval comes with a fine of €25,000 for the illegal development, as previously reported.
Lovin Malta highlighted the specific numbers of courts involved and the board's vote, while NET News confirmed the outcome, stating that the courts would be kept and the fine paid.
The Spin Room
Low media divide. Both Lovin Malta and NET News reported the Planning Authority's decision on the Manoel Island padel courts consistently, focusing on the factual outcome.
Updates
- : Updated with Momentum's criticism of the Planning Authority's decision to sanction the padel courts.
- : Updated with the specific number of padel courts sanctioned and approved, and the Planning Authority board's vote count.
- : Updated with reporting from The Shift News and The Maltese Herald, highlighting accusations that the Prime Minister betrayed public trust regarding earlier promises for the island's development.