AD calls for rejection of Ramla project
Alternattiva Demokratika has called on the planning authority to reject the appeal lodged by the developers of the controversial project in Ramla l-Ħamra, Gozo.
AD chairman Arnold Cassola said yesterday the government should stick to the assurance it had given the European Commission that the project had been rejected.
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority board had last October revoked a permit it had given to the controversial 23-villa tourism complex just four months earlier.
The project, set to replace the former Ulysses Lodge overlooking the beautiful Ramla l-Ħamra beach, had mobilised an unprecedented protest by environmentalists and the public.
After Mepa had fiercely defended its decision to allow the project, the permit was revoked in October on a legal technicality that had been flagged by the environmentalists opposing the project before it was first approved in July.
But the developers appealed against the revocation earlier this year. In July, the process seemed to be heading towards technical complications again but in the end they were resolved and the appeal is scheduled for public hearing today.
A green Spanish MEP's attempt to re-open the issue with the European Parliament's Petitions Committee was refused some two weeks ago, on grounds that the project had been rejected.
But environmentalists are stressing that the proceedings are still going on and the project might be approved on appeal.
Mepa has pointed out that the appeals board, which will be deciding on the matter, is completely autonomous of the main board that first approved the project.
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James A. Tyrrell
Nov 28th 2008, 23:11
Victor and Charles, I'm behind you 100% on this. In N. Ireland we had a so-called independent body called the Parades Commission. The duty of the commission was to decide on contentious parades of which there were a lot. Most people believe that the commission was in fact put in place for the purpose of carrying out the wishes of the Government. In other words the Government could decide that a parade wasn't going to be allowed and put the blame on the commission.
I sometimes think that the Government for exactly the same reason created Mepa. It’s not even as if Mepa is pretending to be an independent authority. The Government created them, they are a Government authority and they will do what the Government want.
lgalea
Nov 28th 2008, 22:46
Anyone in cahoots with the environment destroyers?
lesley kreupl
Nov 28th 2008, 21:23
This whole project is so despicable, the Government and MEPA should be thoroughtly ashamed of themselves, as should be the MEP who professes to have the good of the country at heart - he should be voted out forthwith and barred from ever holding public office again. It would be interesting to know how many lovely greenbacks have been passed around, and wasted, on this project. Shame on you all....
Thank goodness there are some honest NGO's and one political party involved who care for this island. Keep up the good work as there is obviously some 'fishy business' going on here!
Charles Sammut(NY)
Nov 28th 2008, 16:50
As long as MEPA is allowed to decide on these issues you will always have these controversial permit applications cropping up. After all MEPA has to justify its existance. The problem is the Goverment. Declare certain areas as "Untouchables" and that would end all the speculation. But it will never happen. Kudos to Gozo AD for not looking the other way why these atrocities keep taking place. If it were not for Gozo AD nowhere would be sacred anymore on Gozo. Look what happened to the centuries old Fort Chambrai. Jacques Chambrai has to be spinning in his grave right now after this magnificent Fort was converted into Condominiums and centuries old olive trees were destroyed. As if Gozo need more condos and flats....
Victor Galea
Nov 28th 2008, 16:11
And this morning we found out that the Mepa Appeals Board did not cross the Gozo Channel (unlike the many Gozitan workers crossing over to Malta) and therefore only God knows what is to happen over the Ramla Appeal.
The Gozo Channel vessels worked perfectly normal according to schedule.
These delaying tactics certainly do not help to reasure people's minds regarding the fate of Ramla.
The 'flimkien kollox possibli' slogan seems to enjoy seeing people using their energies in this way. When are we going to become truely Europeans?
http://victorgalea.blogspot.com/
J. Borg
Nov 28th 2008, 12:11
Well said Mr. Tabone
Following the Ghadira bombshell, it seems we have to add a couple of ministers and possibly even the prime minister with the developers, hell bound to destroy the real environment (not the roundabout flower pots).
Peculiarly it seems AD has not expressed itself yet on Ghadira.
M. Tabone
Nov 28th 2008, 10:26
Is it possible that 'developers' whose projects are refused keep insisting with the authorities to get it their way? Are 'developers' above the law? Shame on them? Stop taking every inch of our land....keep away from the little countryside that is left!!
lgalea
Nov 28th 2008, 10:04
MEPA, stop this development.
If you do not we shall consider you as collaborating in the rape of our natural environment by greedy property speculators.