SOS Hondoq News

Saturday, November 17, 2007

NGOs welcome 'probable rejection' of Ta' Cenc project

Publisehd on The Times of Malta on Friday 16th November, 2007.

Five environmental lobby groups have welcomed the news that rejection of the controversial Ta' Cenc development project is highly probable as indicated by a report from Mepa's planning directorate seen by the Sunday Times.

Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth, the Ramblers Association, Nature Trust and Save Wied Garnaw Action Group said the directorate's recommendation was made because, if a permit is granted, the authority would subsequently meet difficulties in resisting similar proposals which would endanger Gozo's rural character.

This is wise advice which applies also to Gozo's other mega-projects, since it is known that the headlands of both Ramla l-Hamra and Hondoq ir-Rummien have already been eyed for eventual development by speculators, the NGOs added.

They expressed the hope that the Mepa board, due to take the final decision in six weeks' time, will bury once and for all the development, the original application for which was filed in 1996.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

NGOs welcome Ta' Cenc project's possible rejection

Published on The Times of Malta on Monday 12th November, 2007.

Five NGOs - Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Ramblers Association of Malta, NatureTrust and Save Wied Garnaw Action Group have welcomed reports that rejection of the Ta' Cenc project in Gozo is highly probable as indicated by a report from MEPA's planning directorate seen by The Sunday Times. The recommendation to refuse the permit for the controversial Ta' Cenc complex in Gozo was made due to the fact that if such a permit is granted, the authority would subsequently find difficulties in resisting similar proposals which would endanger and erode Gozo's open and rural character.

The environmentalists said this was wise advice that would also apply to Gozo's other mega-projects, since it is known that the headlands of both Ramla and Hondoq have already been eyed for eventual development by speculators.