Last March, I wrote a letter asking where the long overdue Development Planning Application Report (DPAR) for Hondoq was. It is this report, which sums up everything, that will be presented to the Mepa board, so they can make their final decision as to whether the proposed development there can go ahead or not.

It should not be a difficult decision considering that the project has been recommended for refusal by numerous bodies, including the Church Commission and Mepa's own Environmental Protection Directorate, and its Natural Heritage Panel.

Back then, Mepa had already missed the 42-week target date it had set itself in July 2002 (even allowing for the intervening 11 years being valid extensions to that timeframe). Eight-and-a-half months have since passed, and there is still no sign of the report.

In July 2014, an article was published saying that the DPAR would be issued by the end of summer. In November 2014, another article reported that all the indications were that by the end of the month the DPAR on the project would be finished.

Now, in January 2015, it seems we are still no closer to seeing this report. No valid reason has been forthcoming, and no doubt any excuse given now for the delay will be the upcoming local elections and hunting referendum.

Mepa - where are your "values" which are "rooted in justice" and "manifested in wise and timely decisions"?

 

Jane Carr

Qala