How ridiculous we are as a nation! The NGOs and ordinary people have to defend our natural, cultural and archaeological heritage from the Planning Authority. This should be its role but the saga of Ghar Gherduf showed otherwise!
That is why I think that the Planning Authority is a failed institution. It is not an Authority since it does not seem to be independent. Many developments from batching plants and sites to park construction machinery sprout everywhere without a permit and the PA is unable or unwilling to stop them or reverse the ruining of our natural environment. And this unwillingness to save our natural heritage exists at more than one level in the Authority.
How can one explain the massive development under the Nationalist government at Hal Saghtrija in Zebbug, Gozo? This took place below the ridge of Zebbug and sprawled down. I am also against the development in the square of the same village and join the chorus of disapproval. However, for me, what happened at Hal Saghtrija is much bigger and ruined the rural landscape overlooking Wied l-Ghasri.
How can one explain the issuing of permit PA00268/15? The application mentioned the maintenance of a reservoir, when in fact the enforcement officers found no reservoir. What Alan Deidun wrote about it makes interesting and illuminating reading: “The end result of the obscene permit granted at the Siġġiewi site is that a former field has been roofed over and soil cover has been lost, under the presumption that an existing reservoir was being restored, when in actual fact there was no such reservoir according to enforcement. The applicant now has a terrace with a great view of the Salib ta’ l-Għolja promontory. Furthermore, the applicant has connected the property to the sewerage system, raising more than an eyebrow about the real motive behind the development.” And, to add insult to injury, the architect of the applicant is none other than the government's consultant on the reform of the PA.
The Nationalist Party is also not consistent when it comes to defending our natural heritage. Although it campaigned against the use of land at Zonqor Point, but then came out in favour of a racetrack which will gobble up 716 tumoli of land, 50 times more than at Zonqor Point. I think we should shy away from massive projects like these (racetracks, golf courses, and so on) which gobble massive pieces of land in ODZ, as we have a small area of land and such a large population density.
Now I hope that PA will see that the following is enforced: “The building shall not be used for habitation and recreational purposes” when granting full development permission in PA00632/17. This involves a pre-1967 rural structure perched on a cliff looking Rdum il-Hawt in Nadur.
I have said, and say again: where there is fodder, rats are sure to find a way in, so where there is money, corruption is sure to thrive. Therefore, it is critically important that we have clear laws with no loopholes. The developer has the best technical people working for him/her: architects, lawyers, and so on. The PA should be on the side of the natural environment.
Joe Portelli
Nadur