Alternattiva Demokratika is urging the government to go back to the drawing board and find an alternative site for an American university planning to open a campus in Malta, as otherwise a large tract of virgin land will be lost.

Although details on this proposed development are still sketchy, the site earmarked for the campus is spread over 200,000 square metres and located in the Żonqor area on the outskirts of Marsascala, AD deputy chairman Carmel Cacopardo said yesterday.

Plans for a university campus were announced a week ago by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

Dr Muscat said that further details would be divulged this month, once negotiations with the government were concluded.

He also pledged that all rules would be respected and consultations would be held.

AD is willing to propose alternative sites for the massive development but declined to give further details until it is approached by the government

Bordering Xgħajra and Żabbar, the site is very close to the one identified for the construction of three new hotels along the South Eastern coast of Malta.

The latter proposal emerged last November when Times of Malta published details of a briefing paper prepared by the government’s privatisation unit.

The document was drafted at the request of the chairman of the Consultative Council for the South, Labour MP Silvio Parnis.

AD chairman Arnold Cassola addressing a news conference in Marsascala with his deputy Carmel Cacopardo (right) and general secretary Ralph Cassar (left). Photos: Keith Micallef

However, the idea fuelled a barrage of criticism from environmental groups, who cautioned that such development would destroy an area of huge ecological importance.

Addressing a news conference at Marsascala, Mr Cacopardo yesterday cautioned that the planned campus would eat up precious agricultural land. He noted that the South Malta local plan area described the area close to it as one of scientific and ecological importance.

While welcoming this investment, AD said Malta could not afford to sacrifice its natural heritage for what it described as short-term gain.

Mr Cacopardo said that AD was willing to propose alternative sites for this massive development but declined to give further details until they would be approached by the government.

Reacting, the government said the development would be spread on less than 100,000 square metres – not on all the land.

The government also pledged to take all possible measures to minimise the negative impact on areas of scientific importance.

While no details were divulged on the precise location of the proposed development, the government said it would be constructed on abandoned agricultural land, identified in a university survey carried out in 2000.

The government reiterated the Prime Minister’s commitment that a natural national park was being planned for the south of the island.