Green group in Ramla fund-raising appeal
The planning authority may have withdrawn a permit for the construction of 23 villas in Ramla l-Ħamra, Gozo but green groups are warning that the risk of development still exists pending the outcome of an appeal. A permit was granted in 2007 but was...
The planning authority may have withdrawn a permit for the construction of 23 villas in Ramla l-Ħamra, Gozo but green groups are warning that the risk of development still exists pending the outcome of an appeal.
A permit was granted in 2007 but was later withdrawn on the grounds that the developer provided incorrect information. When the permit was revoked, the developer filed an appeal that is still pending.
However, in a statement environmental group Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar criticised the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for accepting the appeal since the developer only paid “a fraction” of the appeal fees.
“A ruling on whether this appeal is to be allowed is to be given shortly, however... the fact remains that the consideration of this appeal is highly irregular as, normally, an appeal cannot even be registered unless proof of full payment is presented,” the FAA said, adding it could not understand the inconsistency.
A protest at Ramla l-Ħamra in the summer of 2007 against the development had drawn a sizeable crowd leading to the formation of a Gozitan pressure group Save Ramla.
The FAA yesterday said the development was fought on a scientific basis and appealed for donations from the public to be able to cover some of the expenses incurred.
Donations can be made on the group’s website www.faa.org.mt/donate.