Church commission criticises ‘seller’ of Hondoq land

Published on the Malta Independent on Sunday 25th July, 2010 by Francesca Vella.

The Church’s interdiocesan commission on the environment has criticised the ‘seller’ of the land earmarked for a mega tourist development in Hondoq ir-Rummien, but it is unclear whether or not the commission was aware that that ‘seller’ was the Augustinian religious order that forms part of the Maltese Church itself.

In an opinion published last Wednesday, the Church commission said it was a pity that the developer was allowed to buy the land without the seller not realising, or not caring about, the damage the sale could cause.

Neither the Archbishop’s Curia, nor the interdiocesan commission on the environment could be contacted for comment at the time of going to print.

The developers are proposing the construction of a massive project comprising a hotel, yacht marina and tourist village on the 68-tumoli site, which used to be owned by the Augustinians.

The Order sold the land on promise of sale (kunvenju) to Victor Bajada of Gozo (Prestige Holiday) in 1988 for Lm10,200 (€23,760) – on condition that full development permits were awarded.

The promise of sale states that if development permission for the land is granted, the order will receive the full sale price of Lm10,000 (€23,294) per tumulo and at 68 tumuli, the total sale price amounts to Lm680,000 (€1,583,974).

Despite the fact that 85 per cent of Qala residents had voted against the project in 2002, the 2006 Local Plan earmarked the Hondoq Bay area for a mega-tourism development, which resurfaced in 2007, four years after it had been shelved following vociferous protests from local residents.

On Wednesday, the Church’s interdiocesan commission on the environment said in a statement that it had concluded that the proposed Hondoq ir-Rummien development in Gozo is not sustainable.

The commission said it is difficult to justify the claim that it represents more wealth and a better quality of life in Gozo over a long period.

The project, the commission said, will not protect the identity of the countryside and its beauty, which should be the principal assets for attracting tourists to Gozo.

It added that the proposed Hondoq development shows a crass social insensitivity, with the developer choosing to ignore the fact that the majority of Qala residents, who will be directly affected by the project, are against the development.

Similarly, social anthropologist Jeremy Boissevain had criticised the social considerations forming part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed development at Hondoq ir-Rummien, saying in particular that the concluding “euphoric note” is misleading.

Prof. Boissevain’s comments on Qala Creek EIA: Social Aspects – drawn up by Mario Vassallo – were presented to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) last month.

The Dutch professor quoted the Maltese lecturer’s report: “The overall social impact of the project is definitely positive, despite the residue of opposition to it. It will transform what is currently a dumping site into a vibrant centre of activity.”

However, he said, judging by the systematically recorded negative opinion of Qala respondents, Prof. Vassallo’s comment that: “The project is bound to be a win-win project for all Gozitans who benefit from the project as it develops”, is misleading.

A majority of Gozitans may regard it as a “win-win” development, but the majority of Qala residents do not, said Prof. Boissevain.

He also mentioned “the very serious consideration” that, despite the scaling down of the project, its present scale, in the words of Prof. Vassallo, “is still considered to be too huge for the area”.

This, said Prof. Boissevain, was the only fundamental criticism of the project in the Vassallo report. “Prof. Vassallo’s comments are sensible and should be implemented. His observation should be highlighted.”