NGO seeks funds to fight Ramla Bay development appeal
Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar, the environment NGO, has launched a fund-raising campaign to help it prepare for an appeal filed by developers after developers had permits to develop a site overlooking Ramla l-Hamra revoked.
"The public is under the impression that Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo is no longer at risk of development, when, in fact, it is still under threat," FAA said.
The permit that had been granted in 2007 was subsequently rescinded on the grounds of incorrect information being provided by the developers. The rescinding took place shortly after a large protest in Valletta organised by environment NGOs drew an estimated 1,500 protestors.
An appeal is pending.
"While an appeal to reinstate the Ramla permit remains possible, this iconic bay remains under threat of development," the FAA said.
"Granting this permit will allow the building of a complex of 23 villas with pools on the slopes of the Ramla hillside and would effectively open the whole hillside to development. The Gozitan NGO Save Ramla, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) and other environment NGOs are committed to ensuring that the most iconic unspoilt beach in the Maltese islands remains unbuilt, also because parts of Ramla l-Ħamra is a Natura 2,000 site due to the presence of endangered plants growing on the unique sand dunes at Ramla.
"In order to fight this development it has been necessary to incur substantial and unavoidable expense to carry out research and studies and draw up professional reports so that our objection is based on solid ground."
FAA appealed for donations an sms on 5061 8079 (€4.66) or 5061 9226 (€11.65).
Alternatively, contributors can make a direct debit donation at http://www.faa.org.mt/donate or by credit card on https://faa.trolleymania.com
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c.t. busuttil
Apr 12th 2011, 19:40
Thank Heavens for ngo's such as the much-respected FLIMKIEN GHAL AMBJENT AHJAR, Together for a Better Environment (FAA). I want a better environment all round. I support FAA and their efforts to keep Malta beautiful and healthy. Do you?
J.Bonnici
Apr 11th 2011, 19:55
Oh not again!
I hope MEPA has learnt its lesson.
Susan Mompalao de Piro
Apr 11th 2011, 19:35
Thank you Adrian Borg Cardona for your valuable points. Govt. could make a very positive impression here without incurring much in the way of costs by doing what it can to preserve the loveliest beach in the Maltese Islands. The brazen perserverence of the developers is sickening. Please, Adrian, Astrid and all the other experts we have on our side, show us what we can do. My cheque is in the post, and I hope others too.
Kevin Mulligan
Apr 11th 2011, 18:24
Let's hope this pristine beach will not fall prey to so called "development"...common sense must prevail...
joseph saliba
Apr 11th 2011, 18:13
Why not a fund raising appeal to buy the land in question and preserve its prestine beauty?
D. Farrugia
Apr 11th 2011, 19:02
That would be a good idea, in theory. But would you honestly think if an NGO bought the abandoned building it would seriously consider demolishing it and restoring the site back to its former hayday? I somehow would think not. I'm not saying it would be turned into a multi-residential complex, but something tells me the site would not be reverted back to its pre-built state. Malta qedin (well Gozo in this case). Mhux xi visitor centre mostru jispicca hemm tghid imbad? U forsi xi naqra ta' zewg t'ikmamar fejn ikun jista' jorqod il-"kuratur" biex ikun jista iktar "jassess u jipprotegi l-area" 24hrs? U ajma kemm ahna naive.
Astrid Vella
Apr 11th 2011, 19:39
Mr. Farrugia - neither the Save Ramla Group nor FAA own or run any properties, however in all fairness, I know of no property-managing environment NGO that has built a "monster visitors' centre". You must be confusing with a government entity in which case it is hardly fair to make such implications.
D. Farrugia
Apr 16th 2011, 14:07
@ Astrid Vella. But the whole argument was based on IF an NGO bought this property!
Mario Cucciardi
Apr 11th 2011, 17:54
One of the most beautiful, natural and historical havens still untouched, now in danger and under threat by echoes of 'development' .... This is too much!!
D. Farrugia
Apr 11th 2011, 17:27
The site is outside development zone. End of story. Or is it now acceptable to have additional bungalows or villas odz, be it Ramla l-Hamra, Ta' Cenc or some other iconic place?
John M. Grima
Apr 11th 2011, 17:18
WHEN SUCH BEAUTY AS THAT OF THE CAMPANJA IN MALTA IS BURRIED BY HOTELS ETC., IT IS LOST FOR EVER. THEN ONE DAY, YOU'LL END UP WITH A FLOATING MANHATTAN ISLAND. Sur De Marco, please keep up the good work. God Bless.
Charlotte de Trafford
Apr 11th 2011, 17:32
Many Maltese and tourists alike treasure happy memories of carefree holidays in the beautiful and sunspoilt environment of Ramla. Of course we must support FAA to protect this area for all to enjoy now and in the future.
Adrian Borg Cardona
Apr 11th 2011, 16:30
I really do believe that this is a golden opportunity for Govt to intervene and show that it really cares for Malta's natural environment - and tourism. Instead of wasting our money on meaningless campaigns such as Eco-Gozo, it should either fund FAA or else intervene in the appeal as it legally has a right to do to defend Malta's environmental interests. If it does nothing (unlike the time where it played behind the scenes to keep the permit at bay for some time until after the elections) we all should realise where this Govt's interests lie.
R.Borg
Apr 11th 2011, 15:36
Minn min qed titmexxa Malta? Mill-Gvern elett b'vot sovran jew mill-izviluppatuti bil-guh ghas-setgha u ghall-flus?
IRRIDU TWEGIBA OGETTIVA!
Joseph V. Grech
Apr 11th 2011, 14:54
How sad - and UNACCEPTABLE - for Malta and GOZO if that permit is ''resurrected'' and picturesque Ramla is ruined for speculation!
Dr. Mario Demarco is trying hard to improve tourism and has repeatedly stated - quite correctly - that tourists do not come here to marvel at commercialized and speculative projects / beaches so common elsewhere. Tourists appreciate our islands' Natural Beauty - what remains of it that is.
Hopefully the people / NGOs listed below will lead the fight against the Ramla permit. They HAVE A DUTY TO PRESERVE RAMLA FOR THE MALTESE / GOZITANS!
- the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition together with all the M.P.s in Parliament. Parliament is there to work for Citizens not Speculators, the Common Good not the good of individuals!
Din l-Art Helwa and other N.G.O.s
It's reassuring that FAA is involved - this NGO never shirks its responsibilities.
I appeal to the persons mentioned above - and to relevant N.G.O.s - to do something tangible to preserve Ramla for present and future generations.
I appeal to everyone to offer financial help.
Nizar Hingari
Apr 11th 2011, 13:38
par idejn sodi
c galea
Apr 11th 2011, 12:53
We should all contribute to this noble cause
.We also know how much money these developers have got in their pockets to spend in advertisements to impress so let`s all do our bit to help FAA
d cini
Apr 11th 2011, 12:41
ir-ramla l-hamra
hondoq ir-rummien
id-dwejra
ta cenc
...u fejn izjed mhux mhedded?!!
(translation: and where else isn't threatened?!!)