Proposal to kill Ħondoq’s natural haven

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Published on the Times of Malta on Monday, 25th July, 2011 by Helen Duxbury.

While recently holidaying in Malta, I spent a day with friends who live in Qala on the island of Gozo. I was taken by them to the beach at Ħondoq. I was deeply impressed and moved by the beauty of the bay and the surrounding scenery. I found it to be a wholly tranquil, unspoilt and truly lovely spot after the bustle on the mainland in Malta, as well as a rare haven for wild life.

It was 6 p.m. and many local people from Qala had come to the beach to swim and meet their friends and neighbours. There was a fantastic community spirit as these people gathered on their precious beach to enjoy their beautiful surroundings and each other’s company. After a refreshing swim, my friends were informed that this unique area is threatened with redevelopment for tourism and the local community are shattered by the plans that are being proposed.

As a visitor, I wish to add my protest at such plans taking effect. The island of Gozo is still unspoilt. If developers are allowed to get their way at Ħondoq, it will terminate the beauty, peace, lifeline for wild life and haven for the local community that Ħondoq and the island of Gozo offer generally.

I appeal for a reconsideration so that this area will be left untouched in its natural beauty. Far better for visitors to experience Ħondoq in its natural state than a resort of concrete hotels and apartments which would be an utter tragedy for this jewel of an island.

To view the comments, go to http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110725/letters/Proposal-to-kill-ondoq-s-natural-haven.377150

Please leave the natural beauty of Hondoq untouched

Published on www.gozonews.com on 20th July, 2011 by Helen Duxbury.

Whilst recently holidaying in Malta, I spent a day with friends who live in Qala on the island of Gozo. I was taken by them to the beach at Hondoq. I was deeply impressed and moved by the beauty of the bay and the surrounding scenery.

I found it to be a wholly tranquil, unspoilt and truly lovely spot after the bustle on the mainland in Malta, as well as a rare haven for wild life. It was 6.00 o’clock in the evening and many local people from Qala had come to the beach to swim and meet their friends and neighbours. There was a fantastic community spirit as these people gathered on their precious beach to enjoy their beautiful surroundings and each other’s company.

After a refreshing swim, my friends informed that this unique area is threatened with redevelopment for tourism and the local community are shattered by the plans that are being proposed.

AS A VISITOR, I WISH TO ADD MY PROTEST AT SUCH PLANS TAKING EFFECT. THE ISLAND OF GOZO IS STILL UNSPOILT. IF DEVELOPERS ARE ALLOWED TO GET THEIR WAY AT HONDOQ, IT WILL TERMINATE THE BEAUTY, PEACE, LIFELINE FOR WILD LIFE AND HAVEN FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY THAT HONDOQ OFFERS AND THE ISLAND OF GOZO GENERALLY.

PLEASE RECONSIDER LEAVING THIS AREA TO BE UNTOUCHED IN ITS NATURAL BEAUTY. FAR BETTER FOR VISITORS TO EXPERIENCE HONDOQ IN ITS NATURAL STATE THAN A RESORT OF CONCRETE HOTELS AND APARTMENTS WHICH WOULD BE AN UTTER TRADGEDY FOR THIS JEWEL OF AN ISLAND.

Helen Duxbury,

London,

U.K.

To view the comments, go to http://gozonews.com/18582/please-leave-the-natural-beauty-of-hondoq-untouched/