Editorial

Our letters pages and those of our sister paper have for some time now been carrying contributions from residents, both native Gozitans and foreign-born, bemoaning the seemingly unfettered building development going on in Gozo, which many of those who live on the main island still fondly refer to as "the island of peace and greenery".

That impression of Gozo is now being seriously undermined by the rapid pace of construction of holiday homes, ersatz farmhouses and apartment blocks practically in every corner of the island. And if the argument against further land development, in view of the increasing stock of vacant buildings, applies to Malta, it should apply with greater force to Gozo.

It is inevitable that fingers are pointed at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) for allowing this transformation of a once peaceful, rural island into what is fast becoming an urban jungle. From the MEPA auditor's report published recently it appears that MEPA applies different measures when it comes to granting development permits. To complicate matters, even urban conservation zones are being flouted and demolition of buildings falling within these zones are being sanctioned.

Urban conservation zones are primarily designed to protect buildings in the village cores or areas having archaeological and/or architectural value. However, buildings of architectural value are being pulled down to make way for structures which jar with the surrounding buildings.

Enforcement of building regulations and permit conditions in some cases is either non-existent or very irregular.

As the auditor observed in his report for 2004, "MEPA should understand that each development application submitted for its consideration does not only involve the rights of developers, but also those of society in general (our italics). Even if no representations are submitted by third parties, MEPA is in duty bound to consider the impact on third parties in its decisions. This is done in most cases but the Audit Office feels that there are several instances where the impact on third parties should be given more consideration. MEPA is not an agent for development but in its land use planning function it is the tool of the Maltese community to control development as is clearly stated in its mission statement."

And MEPA's stated mission is: "... to pass on to our children a better country than we inherited. Our values are rooted in justice which are manifested in wise and timely decisions appropriately enforced."

Yet, frequently, objections and submissions by third parties regarding development applications are ignored, even if permission is granted with the proviso "... save third party rights". Many new developments are creating obstacles to adjacent buildings especially with regard to height in village cores. Land speculators are applying for extensions and additional rooms to existing two-storey buildings which will block sunlight and impede air circulation, hence diminishing the quality of life of those living in adjacent buildings.  

A cursory glance at most villages in Gozo, even small hamlets like Munxar (as one correspondent writing in The Times on June 7 put it so graphically), shows that they are under assault from developers intent on short-term profit without realising the permanent damage they are inflicting on the island and its inherent characteristics which attract visitors and residents in the first place.

They do not realise that once unbuilt land is gobbled up by building, it cannot be restored, nor can centuries-old village cores once rebuilt. The gashes which this construction craze is leaving on the island are too deep to be healed.

Examples abound. The development at the back of a hotel in Ghajnsielem is currently causing a lot of problems and inconveniences to third parties. The demolition of old houses in this area, to be replaced by apartments, is also causing concern.

The story is repeated in so many other instances. NGOs and residents have rightly been protesting loudly at the planned development at Ta' Cenc, a particularly sensitive area from the environmental and archaeological aspects.

Is the short-term gain of a few developers on Gozo worth the destruction of the island's greatest assets - its rustic character, greenery, unhurried village life and unspoilt surroundings? Those assets are now under threat as never before. There are various ways to achieve the island's economic progress, but destruction of its soul is certainly not one of them.