In a joint statement this morning by Moviment Harsien Hondoq together with Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, FOE Malta, Din l-Art Helwa, Nature Trust, Ramblers and Light Pollution Awareness Group, they said that “the alteration of the 2002 GCLP regarding Hondoq, from rehabilitation to development, was not the only change made without consultation.”

The NGOs said that they would also like to highlight further changes that were also made without consultation.

“A policy protecting ODZ areas from unnecessary development was dropped entirely. All 14 clauses had to be satisfied before land would be considered for additional development – Qala Creek would have failed most of them,”the statement said.

The NGOs added, “half the clauses required that any ODZ area being considered, be adjacent to existing urban areas (not true for Qala Creek).

Others, the NGOs said covered whether;

– “further development need be outside existing development zones. (The GCLP states ‘the provision of additional areas for residential development cannot be justified.”

– “it would ‘invite further sprawl of development into as yet uncommitted land.’ (Once building is allowed at Hondoq, a precedent is set for all the coast to Mgarr)

– “the area is designated for protection. (Hondoq is a Rural Conservation Area, ODZ, Area of High Level Sensitivity, category A valley, Coastal Viewshed Protection Zone, and a candidate site for rehabilitation).”

The NGOs continued by saying that “Hondoq was also a Dark Sky Heritage Area in 2002, but excluded from the modified 2006 map. (Qala Creek would create significant light pollution).”

“These alterations seem contradictory,” the NGOs pointed out, “since numerous policies remain in the GCLP and Structure Plan committing to protect coastal zones and prevent urban construction in rural areas.”

The NGOs said that the GCLP states:- “The thrust of the Structure Plan is to direct development towards Development Zones rather than encourage additional urban development in areas ODZ,” and that “The countryside and coast remain two of the most important natural resources to conserve and protect from inappropriate development.”

“Any revision of Local or National plans should also consider that Malta is a member of the EU, bound by EU Law, and signatory to various international agreements concerning the protection of coastal areas.” they said.

The NGOs said that one is the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Protocol (ICZM) whereby the Government ‘undertake to adopt appropriate measures, consistent with international law, to ensure that no one engages in any activity contrary to the principles and objectives of this Protocol.’

One objective is to “preserve coastal zones for the benefit of current and future generations.” (Qala Creek would destroy the coast for the benefit of a few) the statement continued.

The NGOs added that two of the principles are: “unnecessary concentration and urban sprawl should be avoided.” and “damage to the coastal environment shall be prevented.”

“Article 8 states that the signatories “shall establish in coastal zones…. a zone where construction is not allowed. …this zone may not be less than 100 meters in width..” The NGOs said that Qala Creek would be in breach of this Article.

The NGOs went on to say that “the two exceptions to Article 8 are for ‘projects of public interest’ (the public have clearly expressed their opposition to Qala Creek) and where there are no alternative areas to develop (not the case, as mentioned above).”

The statement continued by saying that the ICZM talks about protecting coastal zones by transferring them into the public domain. The Structure Plan states: All the coastline will be brought into public ownership within a specified period.”

“Hondoq, as a National Park, would be in agreement with all aspects of the ICZM Protocol, the Structure Plan for the Maltese Islands, and the GCLP. Qala Creek would not,” the NGOs concluded.

For more information on the petition and a link for signing it please click here.

 

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