Environmentalists, and many others, celebrated what is being described as an end to the 21-year-old saga of Hondoq ir-Rummien.

On Tuesday, an Appeals Court quashed an attempt by the developer behind the mega-project proposal for this picturesque creek to overturn the Planning Authority’s refusal for his plans.

The project was to include a 5-star hotel with 110 bedrooms, 25 self-catering villas, 60 apartments serviced by the hotel, 203 apartments, nearly 1,250 parking spaces – and a church and shops. In other words, an entire village was to be built from scratch.  Initially, there had also been plans for a marina. 

The first attempt for a construction development in this area was made in 2002, and since then the subject has come and gone on the national agenda. Each time, it was a battle between the developer with all of the resources available, and environmentalists with all their financial limitations but with their great heart and enthusiasm.

The good thing is that public opinion was always against the project, but history has thought us that on many occasions, public opinion was not enough to halt a project. At least, in the case of Hondoq, it led to the desired results.

One here must also mention Qala mayor Paul Buttigieg, who was always in the forefront in the struggle against the development. His was a long ordeal, but in the end he defended the village he represents to the best of his abilities, and ultimately emerged victorious. He was never on his own, as he did have the support of environmentalists, but he must be commended for his perseverance and consistency in defence of this area which falls within the Qala confines.

There was consensus on the outcome apart, of course, from the developer in question. Both the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader welcomed the court’s judgment. Robert Abela also said that the government has ‘consistently sent the message against development on Hondoq land.’ But they must now make the next step, as Buttigieg has suggested. There should be a commitment by both major political parties that Hondoq ir-Rummien is given the protection it deserves, and that no development will be allowed to take place there. If they were pleased with the court’s ruling, then they should find no problem in being against any form of other development that could be proposed for the area in the future, and as such grant the land the highest protection possible.

Hondoq ir-Rummien is one of the only few areas that remains untouched. Other places have not been as fortunate. There was a time when Xlendi could be described as quaint, but it is no longer so, with all the buildings that have been erected. There was also a time when Marsalforn was a charming place, but it is no longer so, for similar reasons. Other localities in Malta have also been over-developed, with all the resultant confusion, chaos and problems that this brings with it.

It is hoped that the Hondoq ir-Rummien chapter is now closed, once and for all. But for this to happen, there has to be the political will to see that it is never re-opened.