6 comments so far.What does PL mean by saying they oppose Hondoq Project?
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Readers Letter – “Labour’s opposition to the project at Hondoq has been reported in several ways, including being against “the development; “the yacht marina and hotel project” and “the project as proposed.” Which is it?
Most have talked of the project ‘as proposed’ with emphasis on the hotel and yacht marina. Nowhere has the residential part been specifically referred to (unlike Ta’ Cenc where the bungalows were mentioned). The yacht marina hasn’t even been part of the proposal since October 2011.
So what do Labour mean by saying they are against the Hondoq project ‘as proposed?’ At present it is for a hotel, swimming lagoon and residential units. Despite MEPA’s recommendation for refusal, the developers are looking at “rescaling the project down in a bid to have it accepted.” If the hotel is dropped – the new proposal is just residential units. If there is no issue – Labour can easily clarify that they are against any development, be it a hotel, yacht marina, or any form of residential units.
When Qala council were asked, the mayor said that they were “against any unsustainable and speculative project and would only change its stance if, say, a huge garden or a park or an integrated green community area is proposed.” There was concern over what was meant by an ‘integrated green community area’ – however this was explained as being “a big park full of trees, green landscaping, gazebos, picnic areas etc.”
So Qala council is in favour of the area being a park – as per the original Gozo Local Plan which stated at least 75% of the area should be afforested. (This was before the plan was changed without consultation in 2006 to say the area could be used for Tourism and Marine related uses.) Labour should propose declaring the whole area as a National Park, thus protecting it for good.
Muscat also mentioned improving sports facilities for students and possibly building a sports complex at Hondoq. Surely a central location would be better, allowing easy access all year round to both students and Gozo’s population alike, with Hondoq still available to enjoy for swimming, walks, BBQ’s, parties etc?
This as opposed to being located at the relatively remote east end of the island, at the bottom of a steep hill, next to one of Gozo’s most beautiful swimming bays.”
Jane Carr,
Qala.
Hondoq is a golden cow that no one will let go .If the PL are really against any sort of development they should issue a statement .that they are against any sort of buildings .Remember that Qala residents voted 85% against I do frequent the area in Summer months
Jane what i find strange in your writings is your obsession against the Labour Party. The PL is the only party who stated its posititon against the Qala Creek. The PN seem in favour of the project but for some reason you choose to ignore it.
I think that Jane has the feeling that the PL will be in government that`s why she is directing the questions to the pl .We all know that Giovanna was in favour long time ago
but still i believe like mr tyrrell said if Dr Muscat will specify it more it will put at rest the worries that a lot of people are worried about
You’re quite right. I started off in June last year trying to find out what Labour meant about being against the Hondoq project ‘as proposed’, and am still trying to find out.
I have referred to the Nationalists in my previous two letters:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130127/letters/Malta-s-tourism-policy-and-Hondoq.454943
Here I say that if permission is given for development at Hondoq, it goes directly against the Government’s own Tourism Policy for 2012-2016. Whichever party wins the election, they should abide by this policy, which, to quote, is based on “critical trust”. The problem is, if an existing policy based on ‘critical trust’ can be so readily ignored, then any pre-election promises, be they for jobs or anything else, are meaningless.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130206/letters/Don-t-destroy-ondoq-ir-Rummien.456431
Here I state that both major political parties have been ominously quiet on the Hondoq issue. I also mention Gonzi’s visit to the Kempinsky, and his bid to promote more 5 star hotels, despite the number of hotels that have been built in recent years, only to be knocked down and turned into apartments.
But yes, more people ought to be asking the Nationalists as well: “where do they stand on Hondoq being developed?” De Marco’s rather verbose comment in Illum (27 Jan 13) didn’t really say much.
Until such times as a protection order is put in place at Hondoq this issue will keep coming up. At the moment both parties are playing with words and it’s about time this stopped and someone decided to call a spade a spade. I’m totally against any marina idea and let’s be honest here, changing the word from marina to lagoon doesn’t make any difference. A lagoon is simply a marina without boats. As for a sports complex being built here why in God’s name would any sensible person choose Hondoq to do this. I would like to see a sports complex being built centrally say on the outskirts of Victoria so that it would be easy for everyone to get to and use. So come on Joseph, your 13 points ahead at the moment, make it impossible for PN to get near you by promising to protect Hondoq once and for all.
Why spoil one of the nicest spots in Gozo.We can enjoy it better as it is .If it is built up NO.
Once is built it will be too late.People that want to built here sees only their profits and nothing else.So let us protect it while we can.When it is built you will find a lot of it FOR
PRIVATE USE OR HOTEL RESIDENTS only.We know how these things are.