The Church’s Environment Commission said that the €120 million Ħondoq ir-Rummien project was not “sustainable” and was hard to justify as presenting a better quality of life for Gozitans over time.

The project would not conserve the countryside’s identity and beauty, which should be the principal assets attracting tourists to Gozo, the commission said.

On the premise of cleaning up a quarry and rehabilitation, there was the danger of land speculation taking place without any thought of what it would detract from the tourist product, the commission said.

“It’s a pity that the developer was allowed to buy the land without the owner realising or caring about the damage that could take place,” it added.

The plan is to build a five-star hotel, 285 flats and villas, 731 parking spaces, 10 shops and five restaurants.

The Church commission appealed to everyone, including those who spoke out against the project, that it was not enough to stop it. “This is just the first step. There is an urgent need to be more proactive in the way we take care of our Gozitan heritage,” it said.