Saturday, 26th April 2008 - 08:26CET

Concern over Mellieha development application

Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, the environmental NGO, has raised the alarm over a development application for 98 bungalows on Mellieha Ridge as part of Mellieha Bay Hotel, saying that they would be a serious blow for Malta's natural environment.

It said the application "clearly violates Outside Development Zone (ODZ) regulations".

"The proposed project is located around the hotel but Outside the Development Zone, in a protected coastal zone of natural beauty, designated as a buffer zone to protect the coastal cliffs and an Area of Ecological Importance and Site of Scientific Importance. Furthermore, the area lies between two proposed Sites of Community Interest, as declared by Government Notice 112 of 2007, and is proposed as part of the Special Areas of Conservation, Sites of International Importance, and Special Protection Area, besides being scheduled. The site is mainly made up of protected garigue and also includes protected trees," the FAA said.

"A project of these dimensions should not be considered before a holistic study (SEA) is carried out to assess the tourism needs for this type of accommodation and if such a need is required, where it can best be located in order to avoid the destruction of the Mellieha headland. This especially in the light of the fact that the granting of a permit for these 98 units will invariably lead to further development all along this coast."

It urged the Prime Minister, as minister responsible for Mepa, to move legislation so that applications which violate ODZ regulations and are clearly inappropriate for the countryside could be immediately dismissed, saving Mepa time and money.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Sunday, November 8, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

Stefano Cremona (on 27/4/08)

Can ODZ just remain ODZ, please!!!!
MEPA should give us the first signs that it is being reformed, punto e basta.

Arnold Sciberras (on 26/4/08)

Just unbelievable, mepa is being reformed, yeah right!! all we see and will ever see is money. Everybody cares for the environment as long he/she is not being affected directly. As if we need more of the latter. Its better we take care of the abandoned buildings present on the island and the ODZ system is working perfectly! i can find better meaning for these initials.

Jeffrey sciberras (on 26/4/08)

This is so ridiculous! instead of wasting time proposing such disgusting projects, they should focus on protecting and make funds for more natural ecosystem parks, that's what tourists come here for, to see our natural and historical heritage, and not bungalows, hotels or golf courses. They have already of their own, and besides, we have too many hotels anyway.

John Mizzi (on 26/4/08)

Could it be that Dr Gonzi meant Over Developent Zone instead of Outside Development Zone? Both terms are ODZ! Time will tell which meaning Dr Gonzi meant before the election. I hope that environment NGOs will not be wasteing time fighting battles on issues that should be thrown out of Mepa. Dr Gonzi has approved 100s of acres of farmland to be developed in his 2006 ODZ scheme. So most probably ODZ for Dr Gonzi means Over Development Zone.

Dion Borg (on 26/4/08)

The Environment and Tourism are now under the direct responsibility of Dr. Gonzi – and everyone expects the man and the politician to live up to the clear message he sent before the election. Hopefully we don’t start getting some fancy legal arguments and vile excuses now.
As to Mr. Mizzi and his conglomerate – haven’t you got enough yet – hands off please!

Ian Hulland (on 26/4/08)

There have been at least three huge apart-hotels empty in Bugibba for about 6 years--they look a total mess, one is an eyesore right on the promenade!
Why not INSIST with the owners to re-do those before encouraging new developments on pristine open countryside. Outside ODZ means just that. One of the very best ways for the "new" MEPA and current government to gain loads of new respect is to show they have the strength and will, to stick by the rules!

Norman Brown (on 26/4/08)

As rightly commented , the PM clearly stated that ODZ means ODZ. Let's hope that common sense also prevails as regards a permit for development of a Beer garden with underlying Garages and which fresh plans may have been filed by the applicant(as stated by MEPA ) for the 'Wied Tal-Maghluq' in Marsaskala. Quite rightly the recommended decision was to refuse permission but now it's up to the DCC. Time will tell if we really mean what we say.

Romano Cassar (on 26/4/08)

With this sort of so-called development, we are simply accelerating the decline of Malta as a traditional tourist destination. This application is nothing more than a get-rich-quick scheme, building so-called tourism infrastructure in ODZ areas (ie using much cheaper land), then turning it into expensive residential accommodation. Why does MEPA still fall for this fraud? Why does the current administration, elected on a promise to tackle environment issues, not put a complete stop to this sort of development in ODZ areas. I call upon the PM to ask MEPA to use all the available legal reasons (since common sense is in short supply in the corridors of MEPA) to throw out this application outright. As the PM said, "ODZ is ODZ".

Alfred Agius (on 26/4/08)

Such a proposed devlopment permit will render some short term gain but will materialise in a long term chaos. Just remember the summer months of over crowded beach by day -bathers & night revellers alike consisting of foreigners & locals not forgetting the parked vehicles on both sides of the road up to Marfa hill. Now add up thepollution of the tennants occupying 96 new appartments as per proposal & than go for a stroll along the promenade at 7a.m & try to wade through the garbage along the way. That should prove to be a long term tourist publicity indeed as far as tidy Brand Malta hype!!!

Steven Bonello (on 26/4/08)

First real test case for the Prime Minister and a supposedly reluctantly-reformed MEPA....common sense dictates that if it's outside development zone then MEPA should throw this out the window pronto. The PM also made this very clear "ODZ is ODZ".
And why continue to build in new undeveloped places when we have had cases of hotels built and pulled down after less than a decade? ... the Andar and l-Imgarr hotels come to mind.

paul bianco (on 26/4/08)

Will they ever stop building??? Will someone take responsibility? Isn't Mellieha over developed already?

Concern over Mellieha development application

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