6 comments so far.Ramla l-Hamra appeal refused by MEPA Appeals Tribunal
 Email item
|  Print item
|
|
Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) and the Gozitan NGO Save Ramla have said that they welcome the MEPA Appeals Tribunal’s refusal of the Appeal on the Ramla l-Hamra project to build a complex of 23 villas with pools on the slopes of the Ramla hillside. This project had originally been granted a permit by MEPA, but subsequent to a large public protest, MEPA revoked the permit as the developers had failed to declare that their site included a parcel of public land.
The refusal of this appeal and closure of this permit is of huge significance, as reinstating the permit would have opened the whole Ramla hillside to development. Save Ramla, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) and other environment NGOs said they were committed to ensuring that the most iconic unspoilt beach on the Maltese islands remains unbuilt due to the existence of archaeological remains and also because parts of Ramla l-Hamra make up a Natura 2,000 site because of the presence of endangered plants growing on the unique sand dunes at Ramla.
It was necessary for the NGOs to incur unavoidable and substantial expenses for the drawing up of professional reports which contributed to the tracing of the public land on the site. Following the successful outcome of the campaign, the NGOs are appealing to the general public to contribute towards the expenses incurred through a direct debit donation at http://www.faa.org.mt/donate Bank of Valletta account no: 400-1851-6481 or HSBC Bank Malta account no: 061-253-217-050or by credit card on https://faa.trolleymania.com/search-results?k=Ramla
This is a most welcome result for the preservation of Gozo and Malta’s rural heritage, and a credit to the MEPA Reform and ECO-Gozo commitment. The NGOs said they hope that future projects related to the old Ulysses Lodge site will remain within the legal footprint and respect Gozo’s unique ecology and landscape, while benefitting the Gozitan tourist industry.
FAA urged all those who are interested in the preservation of Malta’s heritage and environment to be encouraged by this positive outcome and to participate in this effort by enrolling as a member of FAA on http://www.faa.org.mt/become_a_member as such support would further strengthen the drive to save Malta’s heritage, environment and quality of life.
Congratulations to Save Ramla and FAA.
We all hope that the next in line will be refused as well an that is the Hondoq ir Rummien project
This is very good news for Ramla Bay and a big very well done to all the NGO’s and members of the public who fought for this outcome. It’s very refreshing when MEPA get it right as they have done here. Let us hope that they also get it right when any talk of a marina at Hondoq raises its ugly head again. I fully agree with you there Mario, Hondoq is where we need to be concentrating our efforts now to ensure that it is preserved for all time for the people rather than the rich people!
Fantastic news! Many thanks to all the NGO’s involved and their dedicated and hard-working members!
Thanks too, to those at MEPA who have finally seen the light.
Let’s hope this will send a message to the ruthless developers and estate agents who want to develop Hondoq.
For those readers who think such projects create jobs – take a look at Fort Chambray!
This is fantastic news. Please stop over development in Gozo. Hopefully Hondoq next!
(Melbourne, Australia)
Hondoq should be next.Today Mepa has done what it should have done years ago .
MEPA should leave that place alone. They should not harm the beauty of that magnificent place. If they want to built,they should find some other place. Instead of buildin,the Govermnent should try to find the Roman Villa that is buried there,and preserve it.