Hondoq ir-Rummien environmental impact assessment finalised
Published on http://www.maltastar.com/pages/msfullart.asp?an=12090 on 14th May 2007 by David Vella.
NGOs want more time to analyse the study
The environmental impact assessment of the controversial mega construction project at Hondoq ir-Rummien bay, in Qala, Gozo, has just been finalised and is currently being analysed by environmental groups and other interested parties.
A few days ago, the developers who are requesting to build a yacht marina, a hotel, and a large real estate development on the site of the picturesque Hondoq ir-Rummien bay and environs, submitted a detailed environmental impact assessment (EIS) report evaluating their own proposed project, maltastar.com is informed. The study was commissioned by Mepa at the developer’s expense, as part of a normal procedure in the application process of such large scale developments.
The whole project is being proposed in a green area not earmarked for construction developments in any of Mepa’s local plans.
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) has not yet published the report. Instead it handed a limited number of hard copies of the report to non governmental organisations (NGOs) who had already submitted their objections to Mepa when the developers presented their project development statement in 2006.
The eagerly expected EIS provides an analysis of the effects of a mega project proposed by the developers, the Gozitan company Prestige Holidays. The developers are proposing to turn the Hondoq bay, and the surrounding green area and a disused quarry into a 170-bed hotel, over 25 self catering villas, 60 self catering units, 200 multi-ownership residences, 731 underground parking spaces, 10 retail units, 5 dining facilities and a yacht marina for between 100 to 150 crafts.
In 2002, an expanded version of the same project was proposed. Back then, Qala residents have vehemently opposed the project. In a referendum, 85% of Qala residents voted against the proposal. When the developers decided to put forward a second project development statement for the same site, environmental NGOs immediately voiced their objections. Thus they were anxious to get their hands on the EIS, which will be an important factor when Mepa decides on whether or not to issue a permit for the development.
Sources close to these NGOs insisted that once again, Mepa is turning the consultation process into a farce. “Over five organisations who had expressed interest in studying and commenting on the EIS have just been given one hard copy of the report,” the sources said, “at the same time, they are just being given one month to send their comments. This puts them in a very tight spot when considering that the development in question is extensive, and that most NGOs do not have enough resources to analyse the report in such a restricted time frame”.
The NGOs are trying to obtain a soft copy of the study for easier access, but apparently Mepa has only issued a printed version. The report is quite voluminous, and NGOs are currently “queuing” to have a look at it and hopefully have enough time to come up with their comments, the same sources explained. “It is practically impossible to make a print copy of the report for every organisation since the report contains too many pages, and NGOs do not have the necessary financial resources to copy the report”.
The environmental NGOs have thus decided to share the one copy available, and view it one part at a time. “Basically, the report has been divided, and every NGO has a part of it and is working on it” the sources said.
The same NGOs are expected to issue their initial reactions on the study in the coming days.
NGOs want more time to analyse the study
The environmental impact assessment of the controversial mega construction project at Hondoq ir-Rummien bay, in Qala, Gozo, has just been finalised and is currently being analysed by environmental groups and other interested parties.
A few days ago, the developers who are requesting to build a yacht marina, a hotel, and a large real estate development on the site of the picturesque Hondoq ir-Rummien bay and environs, submitted a detailed environmental impact assessment (EIS) report evaluating their own proposed project, maltastar.com is informed. The study was commissioned by Mepa at the developer’s expense, as part of a normal procedure in the application process of such large scale developments.
The whole project is being proposed in a green area not earmarked for construction developments in any of Mepa’s local plans.
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) has not yet published the report. Instead it handed a limited number of hard copies of the report to non governmental organisations (NGOs) who had already submitted their objections to Mepa when the developers presented their project development statement in 2006.
The eagerly expected EIS provides an analysis of the effects of a mega project proposed by the developers, the Gozitan company Prestige Holidays. The developers are proposing to turn the Hondoq bay, and the surrounding green area and a disused quarry into a 170-bed hotel, over 25 self catering villas, 60 self catering units, 200 multi-ownership residences, 731 underground parking spaces, 10 retail units, 5 dining facilities and a yacht marina for between 100 to 150 crafts.
In 2002, an expanded version of the same project was proposed. Back then, Qala residents have vehemently opposed the project. In a referendum, 85% of Qala residents voted against the proposal. When the developers decided to put forward a second project development statement for the same site, environmental NGOs immediately voiced their objections. Thus they were anxious to get their hands on the EIS, which will be an important factor when Mepa decides on whether or not to issue a permit for the development.
Sources close to these NGOs insisted that once again, Mepa is turning the consultation process into a farce. “Over five organisations who had expressed interest in studying and commenting on the EIS have just been given one hard copy of the report,” the sources said, “at the same time, they are just being given one month to send their comments. This puts them in a very tight spot when considering that the development in question is extensive, and that most NGOs do not have enough resources to analyse the report in such a restricted time frame”.
The NGOs are trying to obtain a soft copy of the study for easier access, but apparently Mepa has only issued a printed version. The report is quite voluminous, and NGOs are currently “queuing” to have a look at it and hopefully have enough time to come up with their comments, the same sources explained. “It is practically impossible to make a print copy of the report for every organisation since the report contains too many pages, and NGOs do not have the necessary financial resources to copy the report”.
The environmental NGOs have thus decided to share the one copy available, and view it one part at a time. “Basically, the report has been divided, and every NGO has a part of it and is working on it” the sources said.
The same NGOs are expected to issue their initial reactions on the study in the coming days.
posted by Hondoq at
8:59 PM
