Unacceptable development - March 1, 2006

I recently heard that application No. 5277/96 for Ta' Cenc has been resuscitated and the developer has submitted an Environment Impact Statement to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. I am writing to voice my strong objection to this development.

The applicant now seeks to double the size of the existing hotel, build another hotel and construct 49 bungalows and 67 villas, all in an Outside Development Zone.

According to Mepa, there is more than enough space in the development zone to cater for projected buildings. Why then should more buildings be allowed in ODZ areas, especially when some of the projected buildings are close to Mgarr ix-Xini, and far away from the existing hotel? And this is not just any ODZ area that we are talking about, but Ta' Cenc, one of the last few remaining unspoiled open areas in all of Malta and Gozo. Its very name evokes a sense of open space, a feeling of raw nature at its best.

What additional value is this project going to provide for Gozo and Gozitans in general? If, God forbid, this application is accepted, it will only continue to destroy the little remaining natural landscape that we have left. However, instead of a slow destruction, we will be dealing a massive blow that will either kill the patient or leave him crippled for life.

If Mepa goes mad and accepts this application, what will stop the further rape of our country by unscrupulous developers? What will be left for our children to enjoy?

My only hope is that Mepa, in which I still have strong faith, will send the application back to the so-called developer and put an end to this lunacy.