Qala mayor denies changed perspective on Hondoq

Published on the Malta Independent on Sunday 11th July, 2010 by Scott Grech.

Qala mayor Paul Buttigieg has categorically denied rumours currently doing the rounds that Qala Local Council has changed its mind and is now in favour of the Hondoq project, on condition, however, that it does not include the controversial yacht marina.

“The position of the council since the last Mepa hearing remains the same: that it is totally against the project and what is currently being proposed,” he said.

Mr Buttigieg, who has long been opposed to the project, expressed fears at the last public Mepa hearing that the project is not sustainable development and will generate a substantial increase in traffic in Qala’s already congested streets.

The controversial Qala Creek project, which includes the building of a hotel, approximately 250 residences and a yacht marina on the Hondoq hillside, is currently being assessed by Mepa, with opinions divided as to the damage the project could cause to the area’s ecological and marine environment.

However, the Qala mayor hinted that if plans for the project are subject to a review in the coming weeks, his opinion on the whole subject could change.

“One cannot commit to a personal view before seeing plans for further proposals. However, given the way things stand at the moment, the council and I are completely against the Qala Creek project,” he said.

Since the project was last publicly discussed in May, several environment and heritage NGOs have pointed out that the approved Gozo and Comino Local Plan says the Hondoq ir-Rummien area is a site of ecological importance and a site of scientific importance for its geology and as a Category ‘A’ valley. It is, moreover, a proposed Area of High Landscape Value (AHLV), which imposes the tightest restrictions against residential, commercial or tourism development, including roads and public utilities.