What exactly is Labour’s position on the Ħondoq project?

Published on the Times of Malta on Sunday 17th February, 2013 by Jane Carr.

Labour’s opposition to the project at Ħondoq has been reported in several ways, including being against “the development”, “the yacht marina and hotel project” and “the project as proposed”. Which is it? Most have talked of the project “as proposed” with emphasis on the hotel and yacht marina. Nowhere has the residential part been specifically referred to (unlike Ta’ Ċenċ where the bungalows were mentioned). The yacht marina hasn’t even been part of the proposal since October 2011.

So what does Labour mean by saying it are against the Ħondoq project “as proposed”? At present it is for a hotel, swimming lagoon, and residential units. Despite Mepa’s recommendation for refusal, the developers are looking at “rescaling the project down in a bid to have it accepted”. If the hotel is dropped – the new proposal is just residential units. If there is no issue – Labour can easily clarify that they are against any development, be it a hotel, yacht marina, or any form of residential units.

When the Qala local council was asked, the mayor said it was “against any unsustainable and speculative project and would only change its stance if, say, a huge garden or a park or an integrated green community area is proposed.” There was concern over what was meant by an “integrated green community area” – however this was explained as being “a big park full of trees, green landscaping, gazebos, picnic areas etc.”

So, the Qala council is in favour of the area being a park – as per the original Gozo Local Plan which stated at least 75 per cent of the area should be afforested. (This was before the plan was changed without consultation in 2006 to say the area could be used for tourism and marine related uses.) Labour should propose declaring the whole area as a National Park, thus protecting it for good.

Joseph Muscat also mentioned improving sports facilities for students, and possibly building a sports complex at Ħondoq. Surely a central location would be better, allowing easy access all year round to both students and Gozo’s population alike, with Ħondoq still available to enjoy for swimming, BBQs and parties? This as opposed to being at the relatively remote east end of the island, at the bottom of a steep hill, next to one of Gozo’s most beautiful swimming bays.

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