The Rape of Gozo
Published on www.gozonews.com
I am writing this letter by way of a wake-up call to the Maltese Government, regarding what I see as the violation, indeed environmental rape would not be too strong a term, of one of the few places of natural unspoiled beauty on earth, Gozo.
I don’t live on Gozo myself so you may be wondering what business it is of mine, so let me explain. Some years ago I found myself searching for somewhere to have a quiet holiday. I ended up in a place I had never heard of before, Gozo, and fell in love with it immediately. I have been coming back every year since and indeed will be returning in October this year for my yearly two weeks in paradise. I also hope to be able to retire there and live out my remaining years in its beautiful environment.
I normally transferred to the island by way of the helicopter service but as we all know this has now ceased. So as a holidaymaker am I looking forward with bated breath to the extension of the runway at the heliport so that I can fly in on a small fixed wing aircraft? No, I most definitely am not. I love the island of Gozo and the last thing I want to see happen is aircraft flying in all day. The things, which attract me to Gozo, are it’s peacefulness and its history. The entire heliport area is surrounded by history yet people want to destroy this in order to build an airport. What purpose would the airport serve if you have destroyed the very things, which make the island unique and draw visitors to its shores? I am quite happy to use the ferry and keep the island the way it is.
Another issue I would like to comment on is this stupid proposal to build a new hotel and 200 villas in Hondoq ir-Rummien. Whoever is behind this idea has no interest whatsoever in the island of Gozo. I know a bit about situations like this as I have been fighting similar proposals in the area where I live for the past 8 years. The town of Larne in N. Ireland where I live is known as ‘The Gateway to the Glens’, the Glens being the famous 9 Glens of Antrim. We have a promenade, which extends roughly from our local harbour to the beginning of the famous Ulster Coast Road.
In 1999 a group of investors lead by a local developer applied for planning permission to build a marina and several blocks of apartments. They knew that they had no chance of getting permission to build apartments in this area, as it is known as an area of outstanding natural beauty, and as such is protected from development. However they are trying to justify their case by calling it a marina. In eight years they have not turned a stone and the fight goes on.
The proposals for Hondoq ir-Rummien are just the same and just as stupid. Who would want to stay in this hotel or the villas once the beautiful vista, which exists at present, has been destroyed by their building? Hotels on Gozo are closing down due to lack of use. The average occupancy rate of 35 per cent drops to 10 per cent in the lean months and yet developers want to build more!
How long will it be before these same developers want to build nightclubs and maybe a casino to attract people to their new hotel and villas?
The very things which attract people like me to Gozo, namely its tranquillity, its history, its scenery and its old world charm are the very things the developers want to destroy. Does that make sense to you?
As Astrid Vella, a small lady with a very big heart said last year, “What Gozo needs is to protect its character, which attracts tourists, and not drive them away with more buildings.” Amen to that Astrid.
I am writing this letter by way of a wake-up call to the Maltese Government, regarding what I see as the violation, indeed environmental rape would not be too strong a term, of one of the few places of natural unspoiled beauty on earth, Gozo.
I don’t live on Gozo myself so you may be wondering what business it is of mine, so let me explain. Some years ago I found myself searching for somewhere to have a quiet holiday. I ended up in a place I had never heard of before, Gozo, and fell in love with it immediately. I have been coming back every year since and indeed will be returning in October this year for my yearly two weeks in paradise. I also hope to be able to retire there and live out my remaining years in its beautiful environment.
I normally transferred to the island by way of the helicopter service but as we all know this has now ceased. So as a holidaymaker am I looking forward with bated breath to the extension of the runway at the heliport so that I can fly in on a small fixed wing aircraft? No, I most definitely am not. I love the island of Gozo and the last thing I want to see happen is aircraft flying in all day. The things, which attract me to Gozo, are it’s peacefulness and its history. The entire heliport area is surrounded by history yet people want to destroy this in order to build an airport. What purpose would the airport serve if you have destroyed the very things, which make the island unique and draw visitors to its shores? I am quite happy to use the ferry and keep the island the way it is.
Another issue I would like to comment on is this stupid proposal to build a new hotel and 200 villas in Hondoq ir-Rummien. Whoever is behind this idea has no interest whatsoever in the island of Gozo. I know a bit about situations like this as I have been fighting similar proposals in the area where I live for the past 8 years. The town of Larne in N. Ireland where I live is known as ‘The Gateway to the Glens’, the Glens being the famous 9 Glens of Antrim. We have a promenade, which extends roughly from our local harbour to the beginning of the famous Ulster Coast Road.
In 1999 a group of investors lead by a local developer applied for planning permission to build a marina and several blocks of apartments. They knew that they had no chance of getting permission to build apartments in this area, as it is known as an area of outstanding natural beauty, and as such is protected from development. However they are trying to justify their case by calling it a marina. In eight years they have not turned a stone and the fight goes on.
The proposals for Hondoq ir-Rummien are just the same and just as stupid. Who would want to stay in this hotel or the villas once the beautiful vista, which exists at present, has been destroyed by their building? Hotels on Gozo are closing down due to lack of use. The average occupancy rate of 35 per cent drops to 10 per cent in the lean months and yet developers want to build more!
How long will it be before these same developers want to build nightclubs and maybe a casino to attract people to their new hotel and villas?
The very things which attract people like me to Gozo, namely its tranquillity, its history, its scenery and its old world charm are the very things the developers want to destroy. Does that make sense to you?
As Astrid Vella, a small lady with a very big heart said last year, “What Gozo needs is to protect its character, which attracts tourists, and not drive them away with more buildings.” Amen to that Astrid.
posted by Hondoq at
7:08 PM
