The Midi consortium has spent millions of euro to restore the majestic Fort Manoel and has removed truckloads of rubbish and debris from the island.

But there are other aspects it cannot sort out, particularly the boats abandoned outside the yacht yard, around which more litter accumulates.

Can their owners be traced? And if not, who has the right to remove them?

Vanessa Macdonald highlights the contrast between the upmarket developments along The Strand and the area that has been awaiting development for almost two decades.