“Illegal roadworks at the iconic Blue Lagoon in Comino,” have been condemned by Friends of the Earth Malta.
In a statement on Monday, it said that “this has become a worrying trend – from Dingli to the island of Comino and other places which have not been highlighted in the media.”
FoE Malta argued that “contrary to the impression being given by the Ministry for Gozo, who in their statement stated that there was clearance from the `relevant authorities,’ Friends of the Earth Malta can confirm that the outline application for these works is still pending and that the case officer’s report recommends a refusal [1] based on the fact that the proposal lacks the necessary information to enable complete assessment in terms of environmental and landscape requirements.”
The NGO noted that “since this was an outline application, work could not have been started even in the case of approval and would have required a full development application.”
FoE Malta questioned whether the “Ministry for Gozo can present us with the permit and the bank guarantee imposed?”
“The Ministry is also incorrect when stating that `The passageway forms part of a pre-established network for vehicular transit within Comino and is essential to allow access to the Blue Lagoon.’ There is no such thing as an established road network on the island of Comino, which is also a Natura 2000 site,” the NGO said.
FoE Malta highlighted that fact that in its comments as part of the case officer’s report, ERA noted that the proposal is “still indicating a very broad area of intervention. It was also noted that the proposed drawings are not limited to resurfacing works, and still include interventions on which ERA had indicated specific reservations (e.g. artificial embankment wall in lieu of the existing natural rock face).”
Although FoE Malta acknowledged that the path in question was subjected to “weathering and required some form of intervention, we believe that no Ministry or entity should be above the law as this is not only a form of environmental injustice but will also in the long term backfire thanks to those who in the short term are trying to bypass the laws and regulation in their quest to gain more political popularity and votes.”
FoE Malta concluded by saying that “it is high time that the Environment Minister puts a stop to these abusive trends which are undermining all the environmental and planning regulations to the detriment of our environment and wellbeing.”
Back in October 2018, [2] the then Minister for Gozo Justyne Caruana, visited Comino for the 400th anniversary of the Comino Tower.
During her visit, she also called on residents of Comino – which is also part of Gozo. The Minister said that they raised the questions with her of accessibility to the island and on the island, as well as the need for basic infrastructure to be able to fulfil their essential needs, while keeping in mind the sensitivity of the island.
Minister Justyne Caruana assured them that the Ministry “had already prepared a plan which is currently being discussed with the authorities, and as a first step it has submitted an application to carry out work on the road and part of the pier, which has been damaged over the years and becoming dangerous.”
“Once the competent authority has giving their approval, work can be done,” added the Minister.
photos: FoE Malta
1 Comment To "Comino illegal roadworks, “Cowboys everywhere you look” – FoE Malta"
#1 Comment By Revel Barker On March 29, 2021 @ 4:22 pm
In the same way that a parked van becomes a kiosk and before you know it, it’s a restaurant, this footpath became a highway.
The “road” first appeared as if by magic. Nobody noticed it being scraped out and packed. The last I heard, many years ago, was a magisterial inquiry into how it had got there. Now it is going to be “re-surfaced”. Of course.
There was no vehicular access on the island because there was no vehicular traffic. Once there was a road, trucks miraculously appeared, so did camper vans.
Walkers on Comino do not need “roads”; there are footpaths.
Next we know, somebody will get permission for a wooden hut, then repair it with bricks. Then put a washroom on top, and before we know it there’ll be a boutique hotel, next to the Tower.
Farewell, Comino. You’re screwed.