NGOs Back Residents Concerned With Pembroke Sports Complex Plan

Several organisations have expressed grave concerns following the Government’s announcement that a sports complex will be developed in Pembroke.

According to media reports, the proposed facility would host at least two football clubs and include a stadium with a capacity of over 2,000 spectators.

The project is expected to be built on a green area located opposite a residential zone and close to the Natura 2000 protected site in Pembroke.

Residents have voiced strong unease about the scale and location of the development, particularly given the cumulative impact of other major projects in the area.

These include the db City Centre project, Villa Rosa, and the Chinese Embassy. Community groups recall previous efforts in 2017 when residents, the Pembroke Local Council at the time, and non governmental organisations successfully opposed a proposed private school on the same site, a statement by Moviment Graffitti explains.

Concerns have also been raised in light of potential changes to Local Plans that could allow increased commercialisation of sports facilities across Malta and Gozo. Critics argue that such developments could place further pressure on Pembroke, which already hosts multiple sports facilities and clubs, while reducing green and open spaces available to the community.

Environmental and social objections focus on the site’s proximity to the Natura 2000 area, with fears that construction and increased activity could lead to noise, light and traffic pollution.

Residents also note that they were not consulted on the project, despite ongoing development pressures in the locality.

Organisations are calling on the Government to reconsider the proposal, emphasising the importance of protecting remaining green spaces and maintaining the area’s environmental balance and quality of life.

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