Work on the Tigné project was proceeding within the established timeframes, Infrastructure and Resources Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said during a visit yesterday.

One of the aspects of the project was an investment of Lm5 million for restoration works on both Tigné and Manoel Island.

The minister yesterday visited St Luke's Chapel at Tigné which has already been restored.

Developers MIDI said the rehabilitation and restoration of the chapel was just one practical example of the thorough and professional approach that MIDI were taking prior, during and after each aspect of this Lm140 million project.

MIDI chief executive Benjamin Muscat said there would be a number of complementary developments to the main project in the coming years, such as the reconstruction of the clock tower block, the construction of 12 residences which would be given back to the government for assignment to previous Tigné residents and 24 underground parking places.

Meanwhile, 192 apartments would be issued for sale on plan in the coming weeks.

Lead consultant Alex Torpiano said the relief road passing underground from one side of Tigné to the other, which was commonly termed as "the tunnel", was not a new development but a key requirement arising out of the development brief for the Tigné Point's part of the project for which MIDI tendered in 1994.

Prof. Torpiano said Fort Tigné, neglected for many years, had now been sealed off so as to protect it from further vandalism. Work on its restoration was planned following the issue of a full development permit in 2003.

MIDI chairman Albert Mizzi stated that the tempo of the project depended mainly on the pace with which development permits could be obtained by MIDI.

Mr Mizzi also referred to the hard standing boatyards at Manoel Island and explained that MIDI was aware of the situation with respect to the limited availability of hard standing boatyards in Malta and the important role that these played in attracting foreign boat owners to Malta.

He said MIDI had filed an application with MEPA for new hardstanding facilities at Manoel Island pending the development of these same spaces as envisaged in the Lease Agreement between MIDI and Government and as approved in the Outline Development Permit issued by MEPA for the whole project in 1999.