Alternattiva Demokratika – the Green Party (AD) yesterday bared its talons in defence of Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo which, it says, is threatened by development.
“Gozo’s most picturesque bay, the Ramla l-Hamra, which besides its geomorphological features also harbours Roman archaeological remains and is home to endangered fauna, flora and sand dunes, is under threat from a proposed development which will ruin what is left of the unique character of this bay and the surrounding Gozo skyline,” said Dr Harry Vassallo, AD chairperson.
The Gozo region committee of Alternattiva Demokratika is forcefully objecting to the proposed PA 07947/05 development. Back in February last year, the AD Gozo regional committee had objected to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.
Yesterday it gladly notified that this year the Xaghra local council was unanimously objecting to the construction of 35 villas and a commercial tourist centre in the Calypso Cave area at Ramla Bay.
“It is very unfortunate that Mepa decided to do the consultation hearing at the MEPA boardroom, St Francis Ravelin, Floriana on Wednesday (today) at 11am. MEPA informed us as registered objectors, that seats can be reserved on request for the applicant and registered objectors. Doors will be closed once any remaining seating is filled on a first come first serve basis. This is an insult to many of the Xaghra residents and concerned Gozitans who have to cross the channel, to find out that this meeting is subject to the maximum seating capacity,” said Victor Galea, AD general secretary and spokesman for Gozo.
Mr Galea added: “The proposed development will violate Policy RCO 4 and Policies Ben 1 and Ben 2 because it will adversely affect the scenic value of the area, since it will visually dominate and disrupt its surroundings due to its mass and location and also affect existing trees and shrubs. Moreover, this proposed construction would quite probably breach environmental legislation, particularly the Habitats directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. This area is in an Outside Development Zone and has managed to have waived an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).”
“Ramla l-Hamra is also unique in that it is free of light pollution and is therefore an ideal place for astronomical observations, especially during the summer months. AD Gozo is also asking Mepa to take into consideration other policies when processing application PA 07947/05, namely Ben 7, Ben 10, AHF 4, AHF 7, RCO 29 and RCO 32.
“Gozitans hope that MEPA will abide by its policies and guidelines and conserve this unique bay which is vital not only as a tourist attraction but also as a place where locals can relax their mind, body and spirit,” concluded Mr Galea.