Updated | Thumbs down for Hondoq mega project, NGOs concur

MEPA’s Environment Protection Directorate dismisses an Environmental Impact Assessment for the Hondoq ir-Rummienmega-project as “unduly biased”, and recommends the project's refusal.

14:00 Moviment Harsien Hondoq, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar and Ramblers Association of Malta welcome the MEPA Environment Protection Directorate (EPD) recommendation of a refusal of the Hondoq project application.

The NGOs noted that the EPD report states that there is no overriding justification in terms of net environmental improvement or similar public benefit for the Qala creek project of a yacht marina, hotel, 283 villas, flats and bungalows.

It said that this major urban-type development in an ODZ area will create negative impacts related to sea pollution, traffic, noise, sewage and other damaging emissions.

Such adverse impacts are inevitable both during the contraction phase, and following the completion of the project, the NGOs said.

Qala is already encumbered with heavy traffic from the existing quarries and cannot possibly take more load without damage to the social fabric.

The NGOs expressed concerned at the EIA “which the EPD judged impartial and heavily biased.”

“Impacts were not assessed in enough depth, presenting ‘excuses’ rather than mitigation measures to lower the impact,” they said, adding that the EIA claimed Hondoq was the most suitable site for a marina, while the report on Development of Yachting Facilities in Malta had not even considered Hondoq.

The NGOs agreed with MEPA’s conclusion that Hondoq can be improved without the need of any mega development:

“Clearing the accumulated quarry and coastal debris, dismantling the distillation plant, improving beach facilities and afforestation of the valley are exactly the measures needed, as proposed by the Architecture Award projects organised by the Qala Local Council, Moviment Harsien Hondoq, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar and the University of Malta Architecture Department.”

The NGOs also expressed agreement with the report’s conclusion that the area should be turned into a national park for the enjoyment of the general public and to the benefit of the Gozitan tourism in line with the ECO-Gozo concept.

“It is now hoped that this application will be refused by the MEPA Board,” they said

10:20 MEPA's Environment Protection Directorate is calling on MEPA to turn down the controversial Hondoq ir-Rummien Project.

The proposed project includes a deluxe 5 star 110 bedroom hotel, 20 self catering villas, 60 apartments serviced by the hotel, 203 apartments, 1249 underground parking spaces, a village centre which includes a church and shops and a yacht marina for approximately 100 to 150 berths.

An Environment Impact Statement on the impact of the project has already been presented last year. But its results have been questioned by MEPA’s experts. According to the EPD the assessment is “unduly biased” towards the development and includes comments like “the site cries out to be developed” and “developing a marina in this location offers a win-win situation.” It also describes the claim that “the development will rehabilitate the existing eyesore by creating a marina environment which will blend with the surrounding landscape as “unsubstantiated.”

The EPD’s report shoots down the idea of creating a temporary route for trucks carrying material during the construction phase of the project noting that it would be very difficult to reverse the impact on existing trees, rubble walls and traditional rural features. It also notes that this would affect Natura 2000 sites. According to the EPD this will pose a “dangerous precedent which will result in further similar undesirable development” on natural areas.

According to the EPD all options proposed for the transport of heavy trucks would have “unacceptable impacts.” In this context the EPD notes that the best option would be not to carry out the development at all.

In its conclusions the Directorate calls on MEPA to refuse the development. One of the major objections is that the project cannot be accommodated within the confines of the quarry and existing road network. The EPD also notes that proposal is for a major urban-type development which is proposed in an area which should be kept free from even small-scale urban development. The Directorate also notes that any claimed benefits of the project can be addressed without any new development through simple measures like the removal of accumulated quarry debris and afforestation.

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