NGOs Slam Sliema Lido Reclamation Plans

Imagine standing on Sliema’s bustling promenade, the Mediterranean’s turquoise waters lapping gently at your feet. Now, picture that scene replaced by a sprawling construction site, the sea wall extended, the beach a distant memory. This is the reality that environmental NGOs are fighting to prevent, as they condemn plans to reclaim land from the sea in Sliema.

The Sliema Local Council has proposed a land reclamation project that would extend the sea wall by 150 meters, creating a new plot of land for development. The project, estimated to cost around €15 million, has been slammed by environmentalists who argue that it goes against Malta’s commitments to protect the sea and combat climate change.

“This is pure madness,” says Mark Mallia, spokesperson for BirdLife Malta. “We’re talking about a highly sensitive area, home to numerous species of birds and fish. To destroy this habitat for yet another concrete jungle is shortsighted and irresponsible.”

Opinions among Sliema residents are divided. While some welcome the potential boost to the local economy, others are concerned about the environmental impact and the loss of beach space.

“I understand the need for development, but not at the expense of our environment,” says Maria Attard, a Sliema resident. “We’re already losing so much green space. Do we really want to lose our beaches too?”

However, Joseph Borg, another Sliema resident, sees the potential benefits. “This could bring more tourists, more jobs. It’s a win-win situation,” he argues.

NGOs have threatened legal action if the project goes ahead, arguing that it violates the Habitats Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, both of which Malta is bound by.

Alternatives, such as sustainable development and regeneration of existing spaces, have been proposed. “We don’t need to destroy our environment to develop,” says Mallia. “We just need the political will to do it sustainably.”

The fate of Sliema’s lido hangs in the balance, a symbol of the broader struggle between development and environmental protection in Malta.