After over two years of persevering, NGOs have finally succeeded in stopping an application for the extension of an outdoor catering area in the pristine site of Dwejra, Gozo.

Besides its exceptional scenic beauty and immeasurable environmental value, Dwejra is also one of the darkest spots found in Malta and Gozo, allowing for the best views of the night sky. As beautifully put by Dr Joseph Caruana, in a recent letter published in the Times of Malta;

“Dwejra is a portal to the heart of our home in the cosmos – the Milky Way. This way of perceiving the site became firmly entrenched in my mind during my childhood, when I would excitedly head off to this darkest of sites – small telescope in hand – to gaze at a star-peppered sky, catching a glimpse of objects so distant that their light began their journey when Dwejra’s majestic sinkholes, such as the Inland Sea, had yet to form.”

The restauranteurs, seemingly less captivated by this extraordinary aspect of Dwejra, applied for an outdoor extension to their catering establishment, which would have not only resulted in increased commercial activity within this natural landscape, but moreover, led to increased light pollution, directly compromising the majestic views offered by Dwejra’s night sky.

To the total bewilderment of NGOs and concerned members of the public, the Environment and Planning Tribunal [EPRT] overturned the Planning Commission’s original refusal of the application. Against all experts’ warnings, the EPRT concluded that it saw no imminent threat to the ecological, geological, geomorphological or cultural heritage of the site, being caused by the proposed extension.

The EPRT greenlit the development, and in doing so opened the floodgates for the incremental destruction of our Dark Sky Heritage.

After over two years of working to stop the development through attendance at several EPRT sittings as well as compiling and presenting evidence to illustrate the danger of this application, the NGOs fighting this were not ready to give up.

Birdlife Malta together with a number of NGOs specializing in Dark Sky Heritage and other active environmental groups, were adamant to do all that was necessary to save Dwejra’s dark sky. Together with their legal representative Dr Claire Bonello, the 15 NGOs filed an appeal to court.

Thanks to their joint efforts and uncompromising determination, the application was revoked, and Dwejra’s night sky, once again, safeguarded.

More work to be done

There is still another separate application concerning a different site in Dwejra, that if not stopped will also inevitably have a detrimental impact this site of natural wonder.

In December of 2018, the Planning Commission had approved an application for the change of use of one of the boathouses around the Dwejra inlet, into a souvenir shop. NGOs appealed the decision to the Environment and Planning Tribunal.

The application could seem inconsequential at face value. What could be so worrying about a souvenir shop? Well, this souvenir shop would stand as the first legally established commercial activity around the bay. This kind of commercial use will bring with it increased foot traffic, light pollution, noise pollution and most alarmingly, will set the ball rolling for the piecemeal commercialization of this entire site.

The first application would have served to create a precedent, allowing others wishing the same, to argue that through this single seemingly inconsequential application, the whole of the Dwejra inlet is now essentially ‘legally committed’ to commercial activity.  Similar applications will continue to be dished out, until the peaceful bay transforms into a tourist village, bringing with it all the noise and disorder synonymous with consumptive tourism, and not to mention, flooding the area with artificial light that would wipe-out the precious views of Dwejra’s night sky.

We cannot let this happen.

The EPRT has not yet taken a decision on this case.  It is sincerely hoped that this time, the tribunal will see sense and revoke this permit, and through revocation ensure that Dwejra is truly safeguarded and protected as the wonderous site of natural beauty that it is.

Tara Cassar is an architect focusing on planning policies and environmental issues related to land-use, active with a number of local eNGOs.

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