The government has renewed its commitment to “develop the White Rocks area” but admitted – after more than a year – that negotiations with the investors had not gone as expected.

“The government remains committed to develop the White Rocks area but will only take the process forward once it assures the proposed agreement with the interested private investors provides for the right conditions both in the national interest and that of the sports community,” a spokes-man for the Parliamentary Secretary for Sport told The Sunday Times.

“Negotiations have not reached that stage yet,” he added, reiterating that details about the outcome will be given to Parliament and the media in due course.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi last year announced a project to build the largest multi-sports facilities in southern Europe in the form of a €200 million foreign direct investment which would create 800 jobs.

Named the White Rocks Sports and Leisure Village, the project was meant to be developed by a British consortium.

In October 2010, Dr Gonzi said an agreement with the consortium would be reached “within weeks”.

But no further details have emerged since which has prompted speculation the project has been shelved, especially after Parliamentary Secretary Clyde Puli gave a speech outlining the government’s strategy on sport last week without mentioning the White Rocks project.

Instead, he emphasised another proposed project: a modern sports village in Marsa which would cater for sports like horse racing, archery, baseball, and rugby.

The Marsa project, which has already been approved by the planning authority, will also be financed through public private partnership.

The White Rocks area has a history of being earmarked for projects that fail to materialise.

When the government an-nounced the project last year, many had criticised the fact there was no official tendering process and that it was would incorporate hundreds of residential units.