Pembroke Residents, as well as a coalition of NGOs, have expressed their concern over the plan for the new Pembroke Sports Complex due to proximity to a Natura 2000 Park.The sports complex is to be built on a green area opposite a residential zone, in an “environmentally sensitive area” close to the Natura 2000 Park in Pembroke. The sports complex plans include at least one stadium and host at least two football clubs with a capacity of more than 2,000 spectators. it is believed that a development of this scale will negatively impact the park through light, noise and traffic pollution. Locals are concerned about this development in their locality, adding to the list of controversial developments in the area, including the db City Centre project and Villa Rosa. Residents were not consulted on this project, especially when taking in consideration the context of the developments already happening, and their effects on the residents’ quality of life and the surrounding environment, like more traffic.Moviment Graffitti notes that this project comes in the wake of the government expressing its intention to change the Local Plans for ease of commercialisation of sports facilities in Malta.“Such a change would have a detrimental effect on the locality of Pembroke, which already hosts three football clubs, a number of padel complexes, and other sports facilities, and which would now be able to expand into large commercial spaces that have no benefit to residents or the community,” Graffitti wrote. The organisations call on the Government to withdraw the proposal as the green area is natural land and an essential public open space, and to incorporate this area with the Natura 2000 park ensuring that no development occurs on the area.The coalition of organisations includes BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Għawdix, Moviment Graffitti, Nature Trust Malta and Ramblers Association Malta.They encourage the public to sign the petition organised by the Pembroke residents. Do you agree with the residents?•