Ramblers object to planned 'get rich quick' bungalows

The Ramblers Association has expressed grave concern about the proposed building of 98 bungalows on the slopes of Marfa Ridge as an extension to the Mellieħa Bay Hotel.

The association is strongly objecting to any development there. Besides being outside the development zone (ODZ), the northern side of Mellieħa Bay is protected by the Malta Development and Planning Authority (Mepa) as a coastal zone of natural beauty, a buffer zone to sea cliff habitat, and an ecologically and scientifically important area. "In the light of the Prime Minister's recent statement that 'ODZ is ODZ', the development application for these villas should be rejected outright by Mepa," it said. The association is appealing to the Prime Minister to hasten Mepa's reform process and pass the necessary legislation "which will put a definite stop to all speculation in areas outside the designated development zone".

The association described the application for this development as "a get-rich-quick scheme disguised as a tourism development, by erecting buildings in the name of tourism in ODZ areas, turning them into expensive residential accommodation a few years later".