A tourist's letter to Dr Gonzi, yet unanswered
Published on http://www.maltastar.com/pages/msfullart.asp?an=12649 by david vella on 6th June 2007.
An Irish tourist who visits Gozo every year sent a letter to the Maltese Prime Minister, urging him to stop the proposed “concrete jungle” at the pristine Hondoq ir-Rummien Bay, in Qala.
James Alex Tyrrell, wrote to Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi, on 13 May 2007. Almost a month later, all he has received back is an acknowledgement, informing him that his letter has been received, the tourist said to this e-newspaper.
Tyrell explained to Dr Gonzi: “People like myself are attracted to Gozo by the tranquillity, the history, the beautiful views and the Old World charm of the island. In other words, these are the very things, which this project would destroy. Can you honestly say that this makes sense to you?”
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority is currently processing a Gozitan developer’s application to turn Hondoq ir-Rummien Bay into a yacht marina, a hotel, and 250 residential units. maltastar.com has seen parts of the Environmental Impact Statement prepared by the developers’ on the authority’s request. Environmental groups are currently analysing the statement, which clearly states that the proposed construction is very likely to have a negative impact on the sea up to a number of kilometres away from the site. Studies show that the bay currently has the one of the clearest waters in Gozo.
“Beyond belief”
“The very idea that anyone would want to turn this beautiful place into another concrete jungle is beyond belief,” Tyrell wrote, “in the course of my life I have been to a lot of places throughout the world, but I have never been to a more beautiful, tranquil and historic place than this tiny island. I love every part of Gozo but nowhere more than Hondoq ir-Rummien. It is like a natural meeting place, a melting pot of nationalities, and indeed last year I spent a lot of time there talking to fellow tourists and local people. I met people from Malta, Gozitans and tourists from all over the world, all gathered together in this beautiful little bay.”
The tourist explained that he is planning to continue coming to Gozo for his yearly two week holiday, and is also thinking of living in Gozo, once he retires. He explains that rather than going to hotel, he rents a house, because “I want to feel part of the island, part of a community, and you can’t do that by staying in a hotel”. Yet, he notes that if Gozo changes in the way that the Hondoq ir-Rummien project is being proposed, then he will think twice about returning to Malta.
After Hondoq, where next?
“I love the island so much I am hoping to spend my retirement there as well. I say hopefully because whether I do or not depends on the island staying as it is. I met people there last year that have been going back every year for 28 years. I met another couple who have bought a house there and go out two or three times a year. I am therefore asking you, in fact begging you, not as a Qala resident, although God knows you should be listening to these people, but as a tourist and potential future resident to throw your weight behind this campaign to prevent this development taking place. I know that you care very much about your country”.
Tyrrell asks the Prime Minister numerous questions. “It is my understanding that hotels in Gozo are closing down due to low occupancy rates, so where is the logic in building more? What local beauty spot will be next on the developers’ list after Hondoq ir-Rummien? And what will happen to all these ghastly developments when the tourists stop going to Gozo because there is no longer anything for them to see?”
Keep Gozo as it is
Dr Gonzi is also reminded that 85% of Qala residents expressed their opposition to the proposed project in a referendum. The letter also mentions a website set up by the residents, http://soshondoq.blogspot.com, and urges the Prime Minister to have a look at the 1,800 plus comments left by people from all over the world.
“Gozo has been described as the island that time forgot. I urge you to do all you can to keep it that way and not let these developers whose only interest is money destroy it” the tourist’s letter ends.
An Irish tourist who visits Gozo every year sent a letter to the Maltese Prime Minister, urging him to stop the proposed “concrete jungle” at the pristine Hondoq ir-Rummien Bay, in Qala.
James Alex Tyrrell, wrote to Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi, on 13 May 2007. Almost a month later, all he has received back is an acknowledgement, informing him that his letter has been received, the tourist said to this e-newspaper.
Tyrell explained to Dr Gonzi: “People like myself are attracted to Gozo by the tranquillity, the history, the beautiful views and the Old World charm of the island. In other words, these are the very things, which this project would destroy. Can you honestly say that this makes sense to you?”
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority is currently processing a Gozitan developer’s application to turn Hondoq ir-Rummien Bay into a yacht marina, a hotel, and 250 residential units. maltastar.com has seen parts of the Environmental Impact Statement prepared by the developers’ on the authority’s request. Environmental groups are currently analysing the statement, which clearly states that the proposed construction is very likely to have a negative impact on the sea up to a number of kilometres away from the site. Studies show that the bay currently has the one of the clearest waters in Gozo.
“Beyond belief”
“The very idea that anyone would want to turn this beautiful place into another concrete jungle is beyond belief,” Tyrell wrote, “in the course of my life I have been to a lot of places throughout the world, but I have never been to a more beautiful, tranquil and historic place than this tiny island. I love every part of Gozo but nowhere more than Hondoq ir-Rummien. It is like a natural meeting place, a melting pot of nationalities, and indeed last year I spent a lot of time there talking to fellow tourists and local people. I met people from Malta, Gozitans and tourists from all over the world, all gathered together in this beautiful little bay.”
The tourist explained that he is planning to continue coming to Gozo for his yearly two week holiday, and is also thinking of living in Gozo, once he retires. He explains that rather than going to hotel, he rents a house, because “I want to feel part of the island, part of a community, and you can’t do that by staying in a hotel”. Yet, he notes that if Gozo changes in the way that the Hondoq ir-Rummien project is being proposed, then he will think twice about returning to Malta.
After Hondoq, where next?
“I love the island so much I am hoping to spend my retirement there as well. I say hopefully because whether I do or not depends on the island staying as it is. I met people there last year that have been going back every year for 28 years. I met another couple who have bought a house there and go out two or three times a year. I am therefore asking you, in fact begging you, not as a Qala resident, although God knows you should be listening to these people, but as a tourist and potential future resident to throw your weight behind this campaign to prevent this development taking place. I know that you care very much about your country”.
Tyrrell asks the Prime Minister numerous questions. “It is my understanding that hotels in Gozo are closing down due to low occupancy rates, so where is the logic in building more? What local beauty spot will be next on the developers’ list after Hondoq ir-Rummien? And what will happen to all these ghastly developments when the tourists stop going to Gozo because there is no longer anything for them to see?”
Keep Gozo as it is
Dr Gonzi is also reminded that 85% of Qala residents expressed their opposition to the proposed project in a referendum. The letter also mentions a website set up by the residents, http://soshondoq.blogspot.com, and urges the Prime Minister to have a look at the 1,800 plus comments left by people from all over the world.
“Gozo has been described as the island that time forgot. I urge you to do all you can to keep it that way and not let these developers whose only interest is money destroy it” the tourist’s letter ends.
posted by Hondoq at
9:22 PM
