Wednesday, 8th October 2008 - 18:17CET

Ramla l-Hamra development 'abandoned'

Alternattiva Demokratika has welcomed a declaration by the Maltese government that the development project at Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo has been abandoned.

The declaration was made to the Petitions' Committee of the European Parliament.

The committee met yesterday to consider three petitions against the proposed building of villas and pools at Ramla l-Hamra, two of which were sent in by Victor Galea, Alternattiva Demokratika Secretary General, and by AD's Munxar candidate and member on the AD Gozo Regional Committee, Michael Bajada.

At the hearing, the EU Commission announced that the Maltese government had stated that the project has been abandoned and MEP Simon Busuttil who sits on the Petitions Committee confirmed this.

"We are elated at this success in stopping such an unsustainable project from materializing" AD leader Arnold Cassola said.

Victor Galea, Alternattiva Demokratika Secretary General, added: "MEPAshould truly safeguard the environment around Ramla l-Ħamra by including the whole area in the EU-funded and protected programme of Natura 2000. Heritage trusts and NGOs should be supported in obtaining EU funds to transform the whole Ramla area into an international heritage site and protecting its archaeological remains. We now expect that Ramla bay be promoted to Blue Flag bay status."

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Thursday, March 11, 2010. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

Joseph Portelli (on 9/10/08)

GREAT NEWS!! Congratulations to all who fought against this terrible project - Especially AD. The only polictical party that really cares about out enviornment.

S Chamberlain (on 9/10/08)

A major result , well done all concerned you had a battle on your hands and you never gave up. Victor Vella's comment on the turtles I full heartedly agree with that would be perfect!

Danni Cauchi (on 9/10/08)

I am so HAPPY to hear this news. Ramla is so beautiful and I would have been so upset if next time I came to Gozo it had been developed.

Gorge Bajada (on 9/10/08)

Brilliant! that's excellent news, made my day. Ramla l-Hamra is for everyone to enjoy, not just the ones who can afford it.

This is a big win for Nature and the Environment. Well done Ghawdex, keep it up.

C. Farrugia (on 8/10/08)

Hallelujah!......... Enough said! May our scenic spots and what's left untouched SO FAR remain so! We have enough properties, construction sites and dust to last us for quite some years.......

J Farrugia (on 8/10/08)

I'm dancing with joy!!!

c galea (on 8/10/08)

This is really good news !!!
Congratulations to all those involved. Well done Victor and Michael
Also I would like to congratulate Carmen Bajada from Xaghra council for being so determined to keep on fighting for Ramla against all obstacles.
We are now keeping our fingers crossed that Hondoq is next.

Henry J Bonett (on 8/10/08)

Well done all who fought so hard to bring about the 'abandonment' of this foolish project in the face of all the unnecessary frustration caused by authorities who should not have even considered it in the first place.

Michael Spiteri (on 8/10/08)

Hurrah!

Barbara Bode (on 8/10/08)

Spectacular! Congratulations to AD and all the others, including the Xaghra local council, other Gozitans and FAA, who worked so hard to protect Ramla. It is a victory for Gozo. Thanks to all and to The Times for letting us know immediately.

Lawrence Camilleri (on 8/10/08)

Who abandoned what? Is it the Government abdicating its responsibilities to the Nation? Is it MEPA abandoning the appeal in favour of the developers? Only the developers may abandon the project - did they abandon it? Otherwise Govt and MEPA may only reject the appeal which as far as is known is still to come up for hearing. And as far as is known, MEPA have even extended the deadline to the developers to hand in their reply and even gave them access to the file. Is the Xaghra Local Council aware of developments and what stand is it taking?

James A. Tyrrell (on 8/10/08)

This is really fantastic news. Credit where credit is due, a very big thank you to the Government and to all the NGO's and people involved in protesting this development. This is proof if it were ever needed that the people have the power to put a stop to crazy ideas like this.

Having said that this is no time for complacency as other crazy ideas are still to be decided on. Not least of these is the proposal to build a marina at Hondoq. Hopefully everyone will now throw his or her weight behind getting this development abandoned as well.

lesley kreupl (on 8/10/08)

What absolutely fantastic news! Lets hope they will decide the same for Hondoq and Ta'Cenc! Lets aim to keep Gozo as unspoilt as possible! Well done everyone who was involved!

D Fenech (on 8/10/08)

This is the best news we have had this year!
Well done all concerned!!!!

Maria Buttigieg (on 8/10/08)

This is good news. Thanks to The Times for publishing this news.
@ Robert Micallef
Like you I do not feel I wasted my vote on AD. It's the only party taking 'bis-sens' about sustainable economics. Prosit AD.

Robert Micallef (on 8/10/08)

Well done AD. Big Thank you from a Gozo-lover. Such news confirms that I did not waste my vote at all. Thank you, thank you.

victor vella (on 8/10/08)

It would be more desirable to close off the bay even for people during the season that turtles lay their eggs and up to hatching time, maybe this way we could have a place returned to nature during an important part of the year for nature.

Ramla l-Hamra development 'abandoned'

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