Nature Trust this evening expressed ‘shock’ at ‘the destruction of a garigue area’ in Qawra, resulting in the obliteration of indigenous plants to make way for an amusement park.

In a statement it said the main plants affected included the Salicornia, a salt tolerating shrub characteristic of coastal garigue, where a rocky interface meets the sea.

The organisation said that from the information it has been given it appeared that the development had all the necessary permits.

“It is appalling that land clearance in such a sensitive site has been given priority over the resident species of the site by the same authority that is supposed to be there to protect the environment,” Nature Trust said as it demanded action from the authority over the destruction.