SOS Hondoq News

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Tribunal rejects Hondoq developers' appeal

Published on the Times of Malta on 2nd May, 2013.


An appeals tribunal has rejected an appeal by the developers of the proposed Hondoq ir-Rummien project for amendments to the project not to be considered as a new application.
Gozo Prestige had originally applied to build a yacht marina, a five star hotel and some 200 apartments at Hondoq ir-Rummien.
The application, which was opposed by the Qala council, a number of environment NGOs and the church’s environment commission, had also received a negative recommendation from Mepa's Environment Protection Department.
The applicant then amended its plans and submitted new ones. In the new plans it proposed to substantially reduce the number of apartments and eliminate the marina, which the developers had previously insisted was essential to the success of the project.
The authority then decided that the changes to the plans were major a new application for a permit had to be submitted.
The developers appealed this decision and insisted that the changes should be considered as an amendment.
Their appeal was rejected this morning to the satisfaction of the Qala council and the NGO Flimkien Ghal Ambject Ahjar, which had worked on plans to revert the area to the original local plan designation of a Gozo national park to the benefit of residents and tourism.

posted by Hondoq at 4:35 PM

Tribunal rejects latest Ħondoq plan

Published on the Times of Malta on 3rd May, 2013 by Juan Ameen.


The Environment Tribunal yesterday threw out an appeal filed by the Ħondoq ir-Rummien developers, refusing to accept a set of fresh plans that eliminate the marina and replace it with a swimming lagoon.
The developers of the €120 million project filed the appeal in December 2011 after receiving a letter from the planning authority saying the new plans had to be submitted in a new and separate application. This was because the new footprint went beyond the site area listed in the current application.
The original proposal was to build a five-star hotel, 285 flats and villas, 731 underground parking spaces, 10 shops, five restaurants and a 150-boat marina. Developers Gozo Prestige then filed new plans that scrap the marina and replace it with a swimming lagoon.
However, they were informed by the planning authority in a letter that this was a “material change” altering the nature of the existing application, and that the processing of the existing application had nearly been finalised.
In its arguments before the tribunal, the planning authority said the applicant could not file an appeal at this stage over correspondence from the authority. An appeal could only be filed on a decision by the planning authority board.
The highly controversial project has been slammed by environmental groups and by the planning authority’s environment unit that had described it as “objectionable” while calling on the authority’s board to refuse it. The Qala local council is also against the project.
Paul Buttiġieġ of Moviment Ħarsien Ħondoq was yesterday elated at the decision. “I’m happy that after 11 years of hard work it looks like all the effort we put into it with other voluntary groups paid off,” he said.
The group hoped the planning report would be soon be finalised for a final decision to be taken.
“All the reports have recommended the refusal of the project – including the environment department, Transport Malta and the Church Environment Commission,” he said.
The environment group and the Qala council are calling for the Ħondoq area to be converted into a national park run by the council and rehabilitated into an open space for all, as originally earmarked in the area’s local plans.

posted by Hondoq at 4:34 PM

Appeals tribunal turns Hondoq applicants appeal on amended plans


Published on MaltaToday on Thursday 2nd May, 2013.

The Environment and Planning Review Tribunal (EPRT) today upheld a decision by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, to refuse an appeal by Gozo Prestige for the on the processing of the planning application for the Hondoq ir-Rummien project.

The appeal, which was made by the applicant in December 2011, related to a letter the applicant received from the directorate informing them that their newly submitted plans for the Hondoq project - submitted without an initially-proposed marina but including only a hotel and adjacent luxury apartments - constituted a material change and altered the nature of the existing application.

The changes merited that a new application is submitted for MEPA's consideration, which Gozo Prestige disagreed with.

MEPA also said that the processing of the existing application had been nearly finalised, with the environment impact assessment report having already been published.

In its appeal, MEPA said that Gozo Prestige could not appeal at this stage from correspondence from the authority to the applicant, and could only appeal after a final decision by the MEPA Board. This was upheld by the Tribunal.

To view the comments, go to http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Appeals-tribunal-turns-Hondoq-applicants-appeal-on-amended-plans-20130502

posted by Hondoq at 4:32 PM

Council still against Qala Creek project


Published on the Times of Malta on Tuesday 30th April, 2013.
The Qala council said this morning it was consistent to its position of the past 11 years against the Qala Creek project.
The project includes the development of a hotel and tourist village.
This sentiment, it said, was reflected in a referendum held in the locality in 2002 where 85 per cent of residents clearly showed they did not agree with this project.
The council believed that the proposed development in Hondoq ir-Rummien was unsustainable so it found it hard to justify that it could be of benefit and common good for the residents of Qala and the people.
However, the council still believed the zone could be regenerated into a natural park.
A decision on the appeal is due on Thursday by the Environment and Planning Tribunal.

posted by Hondoq at 4:27 PM

THE HONDOQ PROJECT


Published on the Malta Independent on Tuesday 30th April 2013 by Jane Carr. 
Further to recent reports concerning Hondoq ir-Rummien, here are some quotes. Let’s hope that Mepa takes heed of their own opinions, and those of so many others, and confirm their opposition to the Hondoq project in the 2 May appeal.
  • Directorate of Environment Protection (Mepa) “having reviewed and assessed the information for this development proposal, considers the development proposal as objectionable, on various accounts…. Accordingly, a refusal of the proposal is recommended.”
  • Natural Heritage Panel (Mepa) “is of the opinion that the negative impacts of the project on the natural environment outweigh the positive aspects. The Panel is therefore of the opinion that the proposed development cannot be recommended for approval.”
  • Transport Malta “objects to the proposed development in view that it would be increasing traffic volumes to unacceptable levels in the centre of the village of Qala.”
  • Malta Tourism Policy states: “Long-term sustainable tourism cannot and should not destroy the assets that compose the tourism offer and which attracts tourists to Malta and Gozo in the first place. It is in our interest to safeguard the natural, marine and human environment and not to allow speculation.”
  • Malta’s Tourism Authority “conditioned the developers that if the project is not developed as proposed in principle, i.e. in its totality, the MTA reserves the right to reconsider its endorsement with regards to the development of the proposed hotel.”
  • Church Commission “is of the opinion that the project as proposed at Hondoq is not a sustainable one.”
  • The NGO’s “are against any sort of development at Hondoq”, 85% of Qala residents voted against the project and over 4400 people signed a petition against it.
  • In the EIA, Mepa commented ““We are all aware that several hotels have recently been demolished to make way for apartments or re-classified as apartment blocks, an indication that there are sufficient hotels available. At present there are several thousand empty apartments on this island. This means that another hotel and more apartments are really not sustainable or necessary.”
And the developer’s themselves stated:-
·         “It is pertinent to point out that the project being considered is quite unique – it is a marina led type of development.”
·         “It is evident that current demand for five-star hotel properties in Gozo is weak.”
·         “The hotel will be successful and sustainable if it forms part of a much larger complex which will attract interest by potential patrons to reside at the hotel. The marina development could act as such an attraction.”
The hotel is not viable without the marina. That leaves apartments. That spells speculation.
Mepa, please act on the majority opinion, which is against the project - as are the recommendations from your own departments.

Jane Carr
Qala

posted by Hondoq at 4:22 PM

MEPA and others who are against the Hondoq Development


Published on www.gozonews.com on 29th April, 2013 by Jane Carr. 
Readers Letter - “Further to recent reports concerning Hondoq, here are some quotes from various concerned bodies. Let’s hope that MEPA takes heed of their own opinions and those of so many others and confirm their opposition to the Hondoq project in the 2nd of May appeal.
Directorate of Environment Protection (MEPA) “having reviewed and assessed the information for this development proposal, considers the development proposal as objectionable, on various accounts…. Accordingly, a refusal of the proposal is recommended.”
Natural Heritage Panel (MEPA “is of the opinion that the negative impacts of the project on the natural environment outweigh the positive aspects. The Panel is therefore of the opinion that the proposed development cannot be recommended for approval.”
Transport Malta “objects to the proposed development in view that it would be increasing traffic volumes to unacceptable levels in the centre of the village of Qala.”
Malta Tourism Policy states: “Long-term sustainable tourism cannot and should not destroy the assets that compose the tourism offer and which attracts tourists to Malta and Gozo in the first place. It is in our interest to safeguard the natural, marine and human environment and not to allow speculation.”
Malta’s Tourism Authority “conditioned the developers that if the project is not developed as proposed in principle, i.e. in its totality, the MTA reserves the right to reconsider its endorsement with regards to the development of the proposed hotel.”
Church Commission “is of the opinion that the project as proposed at Hondoq is not a sustainable one.”
The NGO’s “are against any sort of development at Hondoq,” 85% of Qala residents voted against the project and over 4400 people signed a petition against it.
In the EIA, MEPA commented “We are all aware that several hotels have recently been demolished to make way for apartments or re-classified as apartment blocks, an indication that there are sufficient hotels available.
“At present there are several thousand empty apartments on this island. This means that another hotel and more apartments are really not sustainable or necessary.”
And the developer’s themselves stated:-
- “It is pertinent to point out that the project being considered is quite unique – it is a marina led type of development.”
- “It is evident that current demand for five-star hotel properties in Gozo is weak.”
- “The hotel will be successful and sustainable if it forms part of a much larger complex which will attract interest by potential patrons to reside at the hotel. The marina development could act as such an attraction.”
The hotel is not viable without the marina. That leaves apartments. That spells speculation.
MEPA, please act on the majority opinion, which is against the project – as are the recommendations from your own departments.”
Jane Carr,
Qala.

posted by Hondoq at 4:20 PM

Zminijietna joins the call for MEPA to reject Hondoq Project


Published on www.gozonews.com on 29th April, 2013.
Zminijietna, the ‘Voice of the Left,’ said in a statement today as an organisation that promotes environmental and social justice, it joins forces in the call call for the MEPA Environment and Planning Tribunal to reject Thursday’s appeal for the Hondoq ir-Rummien Project.
“The proposed project is outside the development zone, mostly frequented by the public both for swimming, hiking and rambling purposes. People have the right to continue to enjoy public spaces. These are important for everyday democracy,” the organisation said.
Zminijietna stated that “a referendum conducted among the people of Qala had shown that 85% of the people disagreed with the proposed project.”
Zminijietna concluded by saying that “it supports the proposal to establish Hondoq ir-Rummien as a national park, run by the local council and rehabilitated into an open space for everyone as originally set out in the area’s local plans.”
Zminijietna – is the “Voice of the Left,” whose members of the organisation “include members of the Communist Party of Malta, the Malta Labour Party, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party, workers, academics, university students, trade unionists, journalists, intellectuals and pensioners.”
Zminijietna has become the voice of the left movement in Malta. The main aim of Zminijietna – Voice of the Left, is to have a greater presence in Malta’s civil society through activism from a leftist perspective, emphasising the principles of equality, social justice and ecological sustainability.

posted by Hondoq at 4:17 PM