Hondoq has been saved, following today’s judgement by the Court of Appeal which confirmed the Tribunal decision rejecting the developer’s appeal.

After a 22- year saga, the Court of Appeal has declared that the Planning Authority was right to reject the new plans submitted by the developer after the Environmental Impact Assessment had been finalised.The Court also confirmed that the Mayor’s inclusion in the Planning Appeal “did not constitute a conflict of interest.” The judgement means that the yacht marina and tourism village will not take place.

Qala Mayor Paul Buttigieg was “elated.” He said, “it is now time for the next step for the government public access and enjoyment of Hondoq on a permanent basis.”

Moviment Graffitti also welcomed today’s decision, saying that it will “keep insisting that the Government should give the highest protection to Hondoq ir-Rummien so that projects of this type are not brought forward again. The fight continues.”

Writing on Facebook, Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri said, “after 22 years, the saga of Hondoq ir Rummien came to an end as today, the Court of Appeal has just rejected the appeal brought by the developer.”

He stated that the Labour Party “has always been clearly against this development and crystallised in subsequent electoral manifestos.”

Camilleri wrote, “I congratulate the Qala Local Council, especially the Mayor Paul Buttigieg, who has always maintained a position against this development.”

The Minister concluded by saying that the beach of Hondoq ir-Rummien can continue to be enjoyed by the public.

Top photo: Gozo News/Alain Salvary  and below: Photo reconstruction of the Qala Creek project by Daniel Cilia – This is an approximate view of the project with architect’s flat plans used on an aerial photo

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