Using rehabilitation as an excuse
Published on The Malta Independent on Sunday on 24th September, 2006.
In his article on Hondoq ir-Rummien Noel Grima spoke about the “rehabilitation” of the bay in question (TMIS, 10 September).
I would like Mr Grima to realise that the developers are not giving Hondoq a facelift but are destroying the whole body to create a Frankenstein monster that will eventually come to haunt us.
If the authorities are finally becoming aware of the illegal dumping that was allowed in this pristine area, they should have cleaned up the mess rather then building another village as an excuse.
He also spoke of its aim to boost tourism. This goes against the principle of recreating reasonable priced property for the Maltese starting out in life. What tourists and locals want are affordable prices and relaxation. At Portomaso, I saw Ralph Lauren Polo shirts for Lm36. Which tourist is going to spend that much on a shirt when he can probably get that shirt back home for a third of the price! If one has money to spend on tourism, then one should have spent it on solving the jellyfish problem. Spain suffered a drop in tourism due to these jellyfish – many people just want a nice beach where they can swim and not an overpriced flat whatever the view. Take the Mgarr Hotel – excellent hotel with an excellent view! Why did this five-star hotel shut down? And now they want a hotel at Hondoq! Why? So they can then declare bankruptcy and convert it into eight-storey apartment blocks!
Also, is the whole story being told to the people? Will they be charged for using the underground parking facilities? Will the yacht marina area be off-limits to the general public and used only by the boat-owners? Will part of the beach be fenced off for private use by hotel residents? The only question to which we know the answer is: who will benefit from the Hondoq project? The speculators.
Joanna Refalo
QALA
In his article on Hondoq ir-Rummien Noel Grima spoke about the “rehabilitation” of the bay in question (TMIS, 10 September).
I would like Mr Grima to realise that the developers are not giving Hondoq a facelift but are destroying the whole body to create a Frankenstein monster that will eventually come to haunt us.
If the authorities are finally becoming aware of the illegal dumping that was allowed in this pristine area, they should have cleaned up the mess rather then building another village as an excuse.
He also spoke of its aim to boost tourism. This goes against the principle of recreating reasonable priced property for the Maltese starting out in life. What tourists and locals want are affordable prices and relaxation. At Portomaso, I saw Ralph Lauren Polo shirts for Lm36. Which tourist is going to spend that much on a shirt when he can probably get that shirt back home for a third of the price! If one has money to spend on tourism, then one should have spent it on solving the jellyfish problem. Spain suffered a drop in tourism due to these jellyfish – many people just want a nice beach where they can swim and not an overpriced flat whatever the view. Take the Mgarr Hotel – excellent hotel with an excellent view! Why did this five-star hotel shut down? And now they want a hotel at Hondoq! Why? So they can then declare bankruptcy and convert it into eight-storey apartment blocks!
Also, is the whole story being told to the people? Will they be charged for using the underground parking facilities? Will the yacht marina area be off-limits to the general public and used only by the boat-owners? Will part of the beach be fenced off for private use by hotel residents? The only question to which we know the answer is: who will benefit from the Hondoq project? The speculators.
Joanna Refalo
QALA
posted by Hondoq at
5:54 PM
