Court orders fresh review of controversial Comino development permit

A Maltese court has ordered the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal (EPRT) to reconsider its decision approving a major development on Comino, marking a significant turn in a long-running environmental dispute.

The permit, originally granted by the Planning Authority, allows for the construction of a hotel, 16 villas and 44 swimming pools. The project, led by HV Hospitality—part of the Hili Group—has faced sustained opposition from environmental groups for several years.

Campaign group Moviment Graffitti, alongside a coalition of NGOs, has been at the forefront of the challenge, arguing that the large-scale development would cause irreversible damage to Comino’s fragile ecosystem.

In a statement, Moviment Graffitti described the ruling as the culmination of a six-year legal battle. The group said that public support had been instrumental in allowing them to persist in challenging what they described as flawed decisions by both the Planning Authority and the tribunal.

The original permit had been upheld by the tribunal in November, when it dismissed objections from several organisations, including BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Friends of the Earth Malta, Nature Trust – FEE Malta and Ramblers Association Malta, among others.

The appeal had raised 11 separate grounds, ranging from alleged breaches of planning policies to concerns over environmental degradation and habitat loss. At the time, the tribunal concluded that although the project would involve significant changes, mitigation and restoration measures were sufficient to justify approval.

However, the court has now directed the tribunal to revisit that conclusion.

Project Details and Concerns

HV Hospitality’s plans involve demolishing existing, long-abandoned hotel structures and replacing them with a 140-bed luxury hotel at San Niklaw Bay and 16 villas at Santa Marija Bay, alongside restaurants, bars and a spa. The development is estimated to cost around €170 million and is intended to be operated under the Six Senses brand.

The developer has argued that the project includes environmental benefits, such as the restoration of over 8,200 square metres of land and the planting of around 55,000 endemic trees and plants.

Opponents, however, have strongly criticised the scale of the project, particularly plans for 44 swimming pools and additional jetties, warning that such interventions would place unsustainable pressure on Comino’s limited natural resources.

The NGOs, represented by lawyer Claire Bonello, maintain that the development prioritises luxury tourism over environmental protection.

In response to the ruling, HV Hospitality said it respects the court’s decision and remains confident in the project’s planning and environmental credentials.

The company emphasised that the proposal has already been significantly revised following consultations and expert input, and that it aims to replace outdated 1960s-era structures with a lower-density, sustainability-focused development.

HV Hospitality reiterated its commitment to engaging with authorities and stakeholders as the process moves forward, stressing that the project seeks to balance environmental restoration, responsible tourism and long-term investment.

The tribunal will now be required to reassess its previous decision in light of the court’s ruling, reopening a case that has become one of Malta’s most closely watched environmental controversies.

The outcome of this review could have far-reaching implications—not only for the future of  Comino but also for how large-scale developments are assessed in environmentally sensitive areas across Malta.

In a  statement, Momentum welcomed the court decision overturning the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal ruling that had approved a major development on Comino, sending the case back for reconsideration.

Leader Arnold Cassola praised environmental NGOs, including Moviment Graffitti and BirdLife Malta, for their six-year campaign against the project.

Momentum said the ruling is a victory for civil society and called for stronger environmental protection, full transparency, and respect for Natura 2000 obligations in any future decisions on the site.