It will not be economically viable to build artificial islands off Malta using building debris, studies have concluded.

The studies, by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, found that the sea was either too deep or the costs too high to reclaim land in the two sites considered: Qalet Marku and Xgħajra.

Replying to a parliamentary question by Labour MP Leo Brincat, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said Mepa had considered the development of artificial islands or land reclamation.

The first conclusion was that, since the sea was deep, the cost of building artificial islands would be high and not economically viable.

With regard to extensions from the coast, the 11 methods considered had construction costs ranging between €15 and €40 per cubic metre.

The study, which also considered the use of building waste, found that, although Malta generated a substantial amount of debris over the years, there was need to consider whether, in the long term, enough material would be available.

The cost of dumping debris in quarries and in the sea was €3 and €4 per cubic metre respectively.

Dr Gonzi pointed out that the best site for further investigation would be off Xgħajra, should any extension of the shore be made.

He said that, since the completion of these studies, the economic climate had changed and new planning regulations had been brought into force. Therefore, the value of the results had to be considered within the context of present circumstances.