We expatriates are not alone in our objection to planning application 01484/08 at Mongur Street/Triq Birbuba, Għarb. Many, whose families were born and bred on this part of the island, are deeply unhappy at what they see to be a gross violation of their heritage. Sadly, and somewhat understandably, they are reluctant to speak out about this and subsequent building projects in their own backyard for fear of losing work and making enemies.

Gharb is an urban conservation area.

"It is important that evidence of Malta's history is not lost for future generations, that places where people live are not spoiled by buildings which do not respect the area's history.

"The need for a policy of preservation and enhancement is all too obvious when observing areas of Malta which have been allowed to develop without proper conservation guide and where the traditional features of an area have been altered or even destroyed.

"There are in fact very few areas of Malta where unsuitable building has not taken place. By designating UCA's, it is hoped to ensure that the areas do not deteriorate further through building or other works which ruined their character."

I don't think we can express our concern any better than the above quote taken from Mepa's own booklet on urban conservation in Malta and Gozo.

We are aware that the buying and selling of land is complex here, an extremely delicate, if not explosive, situation. The fact that many people want different things from the same area:

1: To sell land and or build.
2: To keep the local ambiance.
3: A combination of the two.

We also are aware that if the overdevelopment continues, everyone will be a loser. The balance is now a precarious one and great sensitivity is needed to steer the right course.

Taking time to carefully consider the overall picture is essential. Gozo is worth it. Once the concrete is laid it is very hard to roll it back.

At present six houses with pools are being built within easy reach of our front door, not to mention another nine being squeezed into the landscape up the road, and although we understand absolutely that building work is vital to the economy in Malta, it is hard not to feel that we are camped out in the middle of a building site. Newly built houses in this part of Gozo, which are put up for sale, are inherently sold for a price well out of reach of the average wage earner.

It seems then, that most of the newly built houses will become holiday homes, used for a few weeks of the year.

If Għarb becomes any more Disneyfied there is a grave danger that the local heart of the place, the very thing that brings people to want to stay here, will die.

On our recommendation, other members of our family have bought properties here and they too have become taxpaying residents.

Under the present circumstances it will sadly become impossible to further recommend to any of our friends or family that they take up residency in Gozo.

The lure of Gozo is surely in significant part due to the unique character of its small working fields and rural ambience.

That is certainly what entranced us when we came to Għarb and were moved to buy our present home here.

Let us think twice, before we lose more of what's precious about Gozo.

It is grossly unfortunate that the planning authority governing the Maltese islands has become so entrenched in facts and figures and less and less about Mepa's original concerns regarding the environment and heritage.

Has anything changed? If it is within the building zone and slots neatly into the pocket of money and measurements, distance from the road etc, it seems any monstrous build can still get the go-ahead.

On a practical as well as aesthetic note:

• The amount of cars will increase to an alarming level
• The sewage system, already overstretched, will no doubt become grossly inadequate
• Already sufficient unused newly built dwellings are available
• This, or any other proposal on this site would be totally undesirable.