A Planning Authority case officer's report which has been issued this week is recommending the refusal of an application for a hotel and marina development at picturesque Hondoq Bay in Gozo.

The report strongly recommends that the Planning Board, which is due to consider the application next Thursday, should turn down the proposed development at this popular Gozitan beauty spot.

The 104,000 square metre development proposed to turn the old quarry site and an additional area of garigue into a nine storey 110-bedroom hotel complex, together with four levels of underground parking. Additionally the developers proposed building a further 25 villas, 60 apartments and 200 multi-owner properties.

Some 85 per cent of Qala residents have previously voted against the project, and the consensus is that the disused quarry should be turned into a natural park and not be developed in any way at all.

Opponents of the proposal point out that any development would also have an impact on the health of the residents of Qala, which has the second highest rate of air pollution in Gozo due to the passage of heavy vehicles to the nearby quarries.

The majority of Gozitans are opposed to any further developments and say that Gozo's tourism does not need another huge project which will destroy yet another of its characteristic bays and valleys, just like the over-development which has taken place at Marsalforn and Xlendi.

Gozo needs the promised national park with heritage trails to the Qala tower, organic farming and nature walks, a small amphitheatre and better beach facilities, these are the things that will attract more tourists to Gozo all the year round, not mega-projects.

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