Ramla and Hondoq... an open letter to MEPA
Published by The Malta Independent on Sunday on Sunday 24th June, 2007 by Leslie Causon.
I am writing this letter now so that we avoid hearing and reading the reasons and excuses why MEPA has decided to allow the development and eventual destruction of Hondoq ir-Rummien bay in Qala.
We are all still shocked with the approval given to the development overlooking one of the loveliest bays in Gozo – Ramla l-Hamra. We thought that MEPA would have found enough reason to make right what was then a mistake when the development of the ex-Ulysses Lodge was “approved”.
At the moment, MEPA is considering an application for development at Hondoq ir-Rummien. This is how our government website describes this area:
“The small sandy beach and its crystalline water makes Hondoq Bay very popular among the local population especially in summer.
Apart from an ideal swimming zone, the bay is also renowned for diving, especially for beginners. During summer evenings a number of local families stay late in Hondoq to relax by their smoking barbeques enjoying the cool summer breeze.”
Before MEPA takes any decisions and then tries to find reasons to justify its actions, I would like to remind the board members that:
In the recent referendum held by the local council, 85 per cent voted against any form of development in this area.
There is no need to build a yacht marina in order to embellish a disused quarry. In 2002 the Qala council had proposed a project that would rehabilitate the area – and this was refused!
We do not need to find an excuse to build a 170-bed, 5-star hotel, 25 villas, 60 self-catering units, 200 multi-ownership residences, 731 underground parking spaces, 10 shops and five restaurants. A village within a village... in an “Outside Development Zone”
The village of Qala cannot take the additional traffic generated during the construction work and after the project is eventually completed. Access to the area is limited to a very narrow street by the parish square... unless there is a further reason to justify further construction by the coast and build a separate access road to Qala!
Irrespective of all the reasons and guarantees given on paper, there is no way the clear blue waters at Hondoq will be suitable for swimming if a marina for 150 boats is built. The bay will be destroyed forever.
I urge MEPA and the government to enter into discussion with the Qala local council on how to embellish the area without building more hotels, which will eventually turn into flats. I know this will not please developers but the government should hear what the people want. It is elected by the people for the people!
No one disputes the fact that the area needs to be embellished but we need to find a way to conserve the natural beauty of the area.
All excuses given later will be futile.
I am writing this letter now so that we avoid hearing and reading the reasons and excuses why MEPA has decided to allow the development and eventual destruction of Hondoq ir-Rummien bay in Qala.
We are all still shocked with the approval given to the development overlooking one of the loveliest bays in Gozo – Ramla l-Hamra. We thought that MEPA would have found enough reason to make right what was then a mistake when the development of the ex-Ulysses Lodge was “approved”.
At the moment, MEPA is considering an application for development at Hondoq ir-Rummien. This is how our government website describes this area:
“The small sandy beach and its crystalline water makes Hondoq Bay very popular among the local population especially in summer.
Apart from an ideal swimming zone, the bay is also renowned for diving, especially for beginners. During summer evenings a number of local families stay late in Hondoq to relax by their smoking barbeques enjoying the cool summer breeze.”
Before MEPA takes any decisions and then tries to find reasons to justify its actions, I would like to remind the board members that:
In the recent referendum held by the local council, 85 per cent voted against any form of development in this area.
There is no need to build a yacht marina in order to embellish a disused quarry. In 2002 the Qala council had proposed a project that would rehabilitate the area – and this was refused!
We do not need to find an excuse to build a 170-bed, 5-star hotel, 25 villas, 60 self-catering units, 200 multi-ownership residences, 731 underground parking spaces, 10 shops and five restaurants. A village within a village... in an “Outside Development Zone”
The village of Qala cannot take the additional traffic generated during the construction work and after the project is eventually completed. Access to the area is limited to a very narrow street by the parish square... unless there is a further reason to justify further construction by the coast and build a separate access road to Qala!
Irrespective of all the reasons and guarantees given on paper, there is no way the clear blue waters at Hondoq will be suitable for swimming if a marina for 150 boats is built. The bay will be destroyed forever.
I urge MEPA and the government to enter into discussion with the Qala local council on how to embellish the area without building more hotels, which will eventually turn into flats. I know this will not please developers but the government should hear what the people want. It is elected by the people for the people!
No one disputes the fact that the area needs to be embellished but we need to find a way to conserve the natural beauty of the area.
All excuses given later will be futile.
posted by Hondoq at
1:39 PM
