An MEP hopeful has cited the presence of "archaeological remains” in a last-ditch attempt to try to stop controversial development works at Manoel Island. 

The future of Manoel Island and its environs is expected to be decided during a Planning Authority hearing on Thursday.

The discovery of submerged archaeological features could spell the end for Manoel Island development plans. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Arnold Cassola, who recently resigned from Alternattiva Demokratika, has lodged a complaint with the Ombudsman claiming that “certain submerged archaeological features had been totally overlooked in the discussion on the proposed Manoel Island development”.

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In his call to stop the works from getting the green light, Dr Cassola has enlisted the help of archaeologist Reuben Grima, who describes the archaeological remains in the area as having a “very particular significance”.

A study published by an international team of researchers had in 2013 already surmised that these structures could “potentially be dated to the Roman period”.

The study had also referred to the fact that these remains offer a “very useful indicator of how past human activity exploited the shore when sea levels were lower”.

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Prof. Cassola insists that examples of such well-preserved evidence of past human activity, which has been submerged by rising sea-levels are “few and far between” and, as such, these features merit safeguarding.

“Any proposal to destroy any part of these features to deepen or widen the channel between Manoel Island and the Gżira waterfront should be rejected.

“These features are an eloquent witness of the long-term rise in sea level and may be the oldest cultural features still visible in the locality today,” he said, adding that their very accessibility and visibility makes them ideal for didactic purposes.

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“Future plans for the area should not only ensure they and their context are preserved in situ, but also that they are presented and interpreted to the public,” he added.

Prof. Cassola’s findings have led to ripple effects around the locality of Gżira, with residents approaching him with findings of artefacts garnered from the area, including what he believes to be Roman pottery.

“The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage has been informed about these artefacts as required by law. The person who gave me these artefacts also described how there is reputed to be a possible historical wreck in Sliema Creek,” he said.

“The wreck had been located by the Royal Navy’s fleet clearance team under John Gratton when they were based at Manoel Island in the 1950s. I have also had reports of various archaeological remains being washed up after a bout of rough seas around Manoel Island, such as the storm we experienced the week before last,” he said.

Prof. Cassola ended his appeal by reiterating that the granting of a permit to widen, deepen, dredge or dig the Manoel Island canal should not be permitted.