At last, the Ħondoq development has been turned down – unanimously – the government committee voted to refuse it. The residents of Qala owe vice mayor Paul Buttigieg a huge vote of thanks for his persistence and obstinate tenacity in opposing this project for the last several years.

There was a village referendum in which a vast majority voted against the development but still the project was a possibility, there were offers and threats, setbacks and disappointments, but Mr Buttigieg continued his opposition on the village’s behalf.

It’s not for nothing that he is he known as ‘Ħondoq Paul’. When most of us lost heart and feared the worst, he carried on the fight and would not give up. The residents of Qala owe him a very great debt of gratitude, thank you Paul for your efforts and congratulations on your success.

Sadly, I fear this will not be the end of the matter and the project is bound to resurface in a slightly modified form or in a slightly different area, so constant vigilance is needed to keep this little piece of Gozo for the enjoyment of everyone.

Every swimmer, fisherman, sandcastle builder, dog walker, pebble collector and hunter – we can all continue to enjoy Ħondoq and its surroundings because of the sheer single-mindedness and personal belief of one person. Long may he continue.