NGOs: Sliema Lido Reclamation ‘A Disaster Waiting to Happen’

Imagine strolling along Sliema’s bustling seafront, the Mediterranean sun warming your face, the scent of saltwater and fresh pastizzi filling the air. Now, picture that idyllic scene marred by towering apartment blocks, their foundations resting on reclaimed land from the very lido you’re trying to enjoy. This isn’t a dystopian fantasy, but a very real possibility if proposed plans go ahead.

Reclamation: The Proposal

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) has given the green light to a project that would see 14,000 square metres of land reclaimed from Sliema Lido. The plan, proposed by the Sliema Local Council, aims to create a new public space and underground parking. However, it’s the method of reclamation that has environmental groups up in arms.

The project involves driving piles into the seabed to support the new land. This, according to NGOs, is a recipe for disaster. “It’s like building a house of cards on quicksand,” says Mark Mifsud, spokesperson for the Malta Green Party. “The seabed here is soft and unstable. Driving piles into it is like stirring a hornet’s nest.”

NGOs: A ‘Disaster Waiting to Happen’

Several NGOs, including the Malta Green Party, BirdLife Malta, and Din l-Art Ħelwa, have slammed the plans. They argue that the project will cause significant environmental damage, including the loss of marine habitats and increased coastal erosion. “This is a disaster waiting to happen,” says Mifsud. “We’re not against development, but it must be sustainable and respect our environment.”

BirdLife Malta points out that the lido is an important stopover for migratory birds. “Reclaiming this area will destroy vital feeding and resting grounds for these birds,” says Nicholas Barbara, Conservation Manager at BirdLife Malta. “It’s like building a hotel in the middle of a nature reserve.”

Alternatives and Next Steps

NGOs are calling for alternative solutions that don’t involve reclamation. They suggest reclaiming land from less environmentally sensitive areas, or even building upwards instead of outwards. “We need to think smarter, not bigger,” says Mifsud. “Malta is a small island with limited space. We can’t afford to destroy what little natural habitat we have left.”

The Sliema Local Council maintains that the project is necessary to address parking issues in the area. However, with the environmental impact still under review, whether the plans will go ahead as proposed.

For now, the future of Sliema Lido hangs in the balance. Will it remain a beloved public space, or will it be transformed into a concrete jungle? The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining the lido’s fate.

“We’re calling on the public to make their voices heard,” says Mifsud. “This is our heritage, our environment. We can’t afford to lose it to short-sighted development.”