Qala reacts to Local Plan

Mayor Paul Buttigieg, on behalf of Qala's residents, on September 16 wrote to Architect Frans Mallia, of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA), outlining the council's reactions to the Gozo and Comino Local Plan published by MEPA recently.

In its letter, Qala council calls for the removal of two areas earmarked as 'Intensive Agriculture Zones'.

"These two areas are close to a residential area (Zone A) and a picturesque area (Zone B). It is not acceptable that the zones are developed as is being proposed in the plan," the letter states.

The letter states that settlements marked A to I in site plans three and four ought to be seriously considered to be built up.

"This proposal does not extend beyond the confines of built up areas. Buildings in these areas would not have an environmental impact, there already are other buildings and there are no special views."

The letter points out that 33 per cent of Qala's population is over 60. "The national percentage is 18 per cent. This indicates that Qala's younger generation lack space where to build their homes. Consequently they tend to move out of Qala."

The letter states that Zones C and D in site plan number one ought to be considered for the building of housing estates.

The council called for the areas marked i and ii in site plan No. 1 to be used for sports facilities and a public garden.

It stressed that permission should be given for new quarries or for extending existing quarries in the Ta' Muxi area.

On the other hand, the council agrees with MEPA's policy outlined in the Local Plan regarding the Hondoq ir-Rummien quarry. The policy states that after the stone is cut, the remaining stone ought to be redeveloped. Seventy-five per cent should be used for afforestation purposes, the plan states.

Hondoq ir-Rummien bay and the coast ought to remain for the public to make use of them, the letter says. "The plan should clarify which areas belong to the public and which are private.

The Local Plan, in a section on quarrying, points out that the quarrying complex at Ghar id-Dar/Ta' Klement provides for most of the hard stone requirements of the island.

"It creates a local eyesore with a footprint which is considerably larger than that of the active quarries. The extraction activity also disrupts the continuity of access around the coast. The quarries are flanked by natural and cultural heritage.

"The stretch of coastal area between Dahlet Qorrot and the hard stone quarrying complex at Ghar id-Dar/Ta' Klement is of considerable ecological and geological importance. It also contains traces of quarrying activity over a long period of time. This area deserves protection and, in line with the Planning Authority's decision in relation to the development of a new quarry at Ta' Klement, adequate interpretation of the cultural heritage in the area is required."

The Local Plan states that there is a dire need for the upgrading of Hondoq ir-Rummien. It states that the area is environmentally sensitive.

"It is important to retain public access to the area since this is one of the few areas accessible for bathing and other marine-related activities. Basic beach facilities such as showers, changing rooms, litter disposal, barbecue facilities and limited camping facilities are desirable. These areas should be small in scale and located in an area which renders them unobtrusive."

The old plan asserts that the old quarry at Hondoq ir-Rummien has long ceased operation and that the extraction activities have left a scar which is easily visible from Comino and the route taken by the Gozo ferries. A number of proposals have been submitted for this area. These include a site for the dumping of inert waste, an afforestation area, a theme park and a hotel.