6 comments so far.Gozo’s picturesque Hondoq Bay awaits its final verdict from appeal hearing
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Gozo’s picturesque Hondoq bay is now awaiting its fate as the appeal hearing regarding an application to turn it into a yacht marina and dense urban development, comes to a close.
During the appeal hearing the Qala Local Council was represented by Mayor Paul Buttigieg and Dr Claire Bonello.The Council said that several arguments were made as to why this massive development should not take place. This Qala Creek Project application first started in 2007 and had gone through many stages of hearings and appeals.
Back in July 2013, the then Gozo Minister Anton Refalo had said that proposals for a yacht marina at Hondoq would not be considered due to the environmental impact.
Photo reconstruction of the proposed Qala Creek project by Daniel Cilia – This is an approximate view of the project with architect’s flat plans used on an aerial photo
The Planning Board in 2016 had unanimously rejected the application to turn it into a yacht marina and village depriving swimmers of the bay, but the applicant appealed.
“We will continue defending Hondoq and Qala from these speculative developments, come what may,” said Mayor Paul Buttigieg representing Qala Local Council.
Top photo by Alain Salvary
Way to go Mayor and Doctor Bonello the general public support you 200%. I wish in Ghajnsielem they had people like you when a national heritage Chambray was destroyed forever.
Development on people’s land for profit. I do believe that in this last Budget a promise to Gozitans was made by the Government that Gozo Rural Aspect & Habitat will be protected.
Please make sure that this promise is kept, no matter what.
I think Mr Cilia needs to look again at the approximations of his photo reconstruction. I can’t imagine this image even comes close to what is proposed. Do the developers intend to carve out solid rock cliff-sides to form a marina? I don’t think so! A rather misleading collage.
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Proset. Protect whats ours. A Marina can only be enjoyed by the rich….Lots others enjoy the bay for many years.
I really really hope you succeed in protecting your bay. Nature is crucial. The human specie……not.
I’m afraid the ‘protection’ you have in mind should have happened a long time ago. Hondoq now consists of a tiny beach dominated by an ugly reverse-osmosis plant with a couple of shabby kiosks, a massive concrete covered car-park on the water’s edge and an ex-quarry that is now utilised as a convenient rubbish dump. I think the word ‘pristine’ that is often used by Maltese to describe Hondoq is a little over-the-top!