The American University of Malta could be spread over a number of sites in the south rather than one location in Żonqor, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said yesterday.

Replying to questions put by Times of Malta, Dr Muscat said the government had received a number of suggestions on possible alternative sites for the project and it was possible it would adopt several of them.

The government was considering having a “spread” of buildings rather than a single concentration.

“We are looking, for instance, at the possibility of using certain historic sites. This, however, poses its own difficulties and we need to take all of this into consideration,” he said, adding that his main concern over such a move was the issue of connectivity.

He said a number of historic sites had been assessed, but it was found that most had poor vehicular access and lacked basic infrastructure.

Incorporating such sites into the AUM development would require a large road like that constructed from Fgura to Smart City by the previous administration.

Asked about media reports that the government had halved the size of the plot of land it required from 90,000 square metres to just 45,000, Dr Muscat said a large chunk of the campus would not require development and would be open air.

Asked about the future facing Żonqor farmers if the Marsascala proposal was retained, at least partially, Dr Muscat said they would be relocated.

Asked where the alternative fields could be, Dr Muscat was quick on his feet and jokingly remarked that what was certain was that they would not be sent to St Luke’s Hospital – a possible site suggested by the Opposition for the AUM campus.