Planning bid seeks land reclamation for Sliema seafront lido

A planning application to build a lido on the Sliema seafront, involving encroachment on public land and sea reclamation, is moving through the Planning Authority. Application PA/3174/26, submitted on 7 April 2026, was lodged by three companies: Strand Lido Ltd, LAMHCO, and Sea Pebbles Ltd.

The proposed site sits on the Sliema strand next to an existing lido built on reclaimed land, a development that itself drew controversy after illegal additions were later sanctioned by the Planning Authority in an application pursued by Michael Stivala, president of the Malta Development Association. The new proposal includes rooftop decks of the kind that were built illegally on the neighbouring lido before being sanctioned.

Because the site has a marine location, the application qualifies as an Outside Development Zone (ODZ) submission. The application form states that the area's owner "has granted consent to submit an application," though that does not amount to automatic Planning Authority approval.

Screening is close to finalisation. The application is due to be published in the 20 May edition of the Government Gazette, which formally opens the public objection period. The deadline for objections is 19 June 2026.

No objections had been filed at the time of publication. Political party Momentum is actively encouraging residents to object.

Party leader Arnold Cassola, who is standing in the 10th district alongside candidate Pierre Schembri Wismayer, said one of Strand Lido Ltd's owners is Daniel Farrugia, whom he described as the partner of Labour MP Rosianne Cutajar. That claim has not been independently verified. Cassola called the proposal "scandalous" and said the issue was even more serious if the company behind it had close relations to a sitting MP.

Cassola also said Sliema residents were being deprived of more public land and coastline, and said Momentum's forthcoming manifesto would seek to stop projects of this kind. He added that the coast should remain part of the public's shared heritage rather than being used for private profit.

Update: both the Sliema and Gżira mayors later said they would ask their councils to object to the proposal. Read the follow-up here: Two mayors unite to block Sliema seafront lido land reclamation.