ODZ permits
Published on The Times of Malta on Sunday 6th April, 2008 by Angelo Xerri.
We often read that developers and individuals have applied for permits to build outside development zones (ODZ). If, by definition, ODZs were created to prevent buildings of any kind in them, why are applications for permits even considered, let alone approved?
These include large-scale projects like hotels, apartments, supermarkets, villas and luxury homes. Is the law there to be twisted this way by people with a conflict of interest? It must be, because developers and contractors continue to apply for permits in areas like Ta' Cenc, Ramla Bay, Ħondoq ir-Rummien in Gozo and many others in Malta.
Do the authorities realise what this is doing to communities, creating divisions among residents in adjacent areas? Environmental Impact Assess-ments (EIA) are written mostly in favour of the applicants. It is laughable to expect a developer or a contractor to pay anything other than lip service to a green policy without government regulation. Why are residents not informed, at least, that copies of an EIA are available at the local council offices?
Local councils should also hold meetings and explain EIAs to residents and take a vote at the final meeting.
Residents of these areas are at the mercy of developers and politicians. The problem is not the developers but the ODZ law which is flawed and flexible because they know that there is always a very good chance of a building permit being granted in these areas. Take for example the Qala Creek project at Ħondoq ir- Rummien, an ODZ area. By an overwhelming majority of 85 per cent, Qala residents had voted against this project in a referendum held by Qala council that was approved by the government of the day. This has been going on for over five years now.
Who is accountable for this project? Was the referendum just a futile exercise? Surely after five years a decision should have been taken to scrap the project. The people of Qala have a right to know. At this rate, our natural environment is doomed to disappear.
The Save Ħondoq ir-Rummien movement expects the Environment Minister to stop the project and save this pristine, beautiful and most popular bay not only for the residents of Qala but also for all Maltese and tourists.
There can be no mistakes when it comes to the environment; as in the case of Fort Chambray, they are irreversible. Isn't that what Gozo is all about - to enjoy its natural beauty, peace and quiet? Don't we have enough hotel beaches already in Gozo? What will our children think of us when they will have no place to go to for a picnic, a clean beach on hot summer days, or an evening barbecue, fishing, water sports, diving or camping?
We often read that developers and individuals have applied for permits to build outside development zones (ODZ). If, by definition, ODZs were created to prevent buildings of any kind in them, why are applications for permits even considered, let alone approved?
These include large-scale projects like hotels, apartments, supermarkets, villas and luxury homes. Is the law there to be twisted this way by people with a conflict of interest? It must be, because developers and contractors continue to apply for permits in areas like Ta' Cenc, Ramla Bay, Ħondoq ir-Rummien in Gozo and many others in Malta.
Do the authorities realise what this is doing to communities, creating divisions among residents in adjacent areas? Environmental Impact Assess-ments (EIA) are written mostly in favour of the applicants. It is laughable to expect a developer or a contractor to pay anything other than lip service to a green policy without government regulation. Why are residents not informed, at least, that copies of an EIA are available at the local council offices?
Local councils should also hold meetings and explain EIAs to residents and take a vote at the final meeting.
Residents of these areas are at the mercy of developers and politicians. The problem is not the developers but the ODZ law which is flawed and flexible because they know that there is always a very good chance of a building permit being granted in these areas. Take for example the Qala Creek project at Ħondoq ir- Rummien, an ODZ area. By an overwhelming majority of 85 per cent, Qala residents had voted against this project in a referendum held by Qala council that was approved by the government of the day. This has been going on for over five years now.
Who is accountable for this project? Was the referendum just a futile exercise? Surely after five years a decision should have been taken to scrap the project. The people of Qala have a right to know. At this rate, our natural environment is doomed to disappear.
The Save Ħondoq ir-Rummien movement expects the Environment Minister to stop the project and save this pristine, beautiful and most popular bay not only for the residents of Qala but also for all Maltese and tourists.
There can be no mistakes when it comes to the environment; as in the case of Fort Chambray, they are irreversible. Isn't that what Gozo is all about - to enjoy its natural beauty, peace and quiet? Don't we have enough hotel beaches already in Gozo? What will our children think of us when they will have no place to go to for a picnic, a clean beach on hot summer days, or an evening barbecue, fishing, water sports, diving or camping?
posted by Hondoq at
11:44 AM
