The Cabinet has approved the commercialisation of several sites within the Marsascala Family Park, including the stables and the agricentre. Tenders will be issued in due course, Environment Minister Leo Brincat said this morning.

He said that public access to most of the park, including the play areas, open-air spaces and outdoor gym will remain free and unrestrained.

Mr Brincat could not give a timeframe for the publication of tenders since discussions with the Land Department and the EU Affairs Ministry were still going on.

"We have to involve the EU Affairs Ministry because EU funds were used on the park and we want to make sure that tenders do not fall foul of EU finance regulations," he said. The rents received will be used to maintain the park, that was built over a disused landfill.

Mr Brincat said the area next to the chapel and the amphitheatre could be rented out for one-off events.

He explained that the toilet facilities would be maintained by the restaurant but could be used free of charge by the public.

The government received 39 submissions from 14 different entities after it issued a call for expressions of interest in May.

However, he said the entities that submitted proposals or ideas will not get preferential treatment during the tendering process and anybody can participate.

A separate request by the Marsascala football club to have its own pitch will not be issued by tender. Mr Brincat said talks between the football club and other government entities were at an advanced stage to identify a suitable site for the sporting facilities.

The Family Park was opened shortly before the last general election. After the election it was closed for several weeks after it was claimed that the nearby waste treatment plant was producing harmful emissions. The park was reopened when it was confirmed that air quality was fine.