A group of Marsascala residents and nature lovers held a protest march through the stretch of coast earmarked for three new hotels in the south of the island.

John Paul Cauchi, who organised the walk, raised concerns that the proposed developments would see the green area from Smart City to Zonqor point, heavily built upon.

“We don’t want to see a natural area turned into another Buġibba in the south,” Mr Cauchi said, questioning why the proposed hotels were not being developed on built up sites, such as the abandoned Jerma Palace Hotel.

The three hotels would together offer some 700 rooms. The development will also feature a promenade and a beach club, all built on public land outside development zones.

The details emerged in a briefing paper prepared by the government’s privatisation unit on the request of the chairman of the Consultative Council for the South, Labour MP Silvio Parnis.

Council members include Malta Developers Association president Sandro Chetcuti, who is backing the development.

Mr Chetcuti had labelled the land as shabby when contacted. Resident’s however this morning said the area was pristine countryside, which should be enjoyed by future generations.