14 Comments »

Swimmer said:
What` next. Can we apply to built on top of Castille.Would Mepa give us permit.
How come these developers are never satisfied with what they have got, I know that this development had a stop and enforcment notice since 1996.
Why has Mepa not taken action and buldozed the illegal part of this building? Oh I forgot that Mepa as most people say is strong with the weak and weak with the strong.
May common sense prevail and this proposal not be approved.
# 1 December 2008 at 10:46 pm

Victor Galea said:
Can somebody please explain to me what they mean by the eco-Ghawdex promise which was made before the last general election?
Is the continuation of the destruction of the skyline part of it? I Hope not!
Thank you.
Victor Galea
# 1 December 2008 at 11:22 pm

Tanja Van Poucke said:
It’s a pity for Malta/Gozo that people with a lot of money,can do/built whathever they want!!!! Mepa is just a puppet on a string….unfortunately for the islands!!!Particulary for Gozo. Malta is already destroyed, now it’s the turn of Gozo.
Good bye eco, goodbye tourists!
# 2 December 2008 at 8:01 am

James A. Tyrrell said:
You can’t really blame the developers. At the end of the day their job is to apply for permission to build and make as much money out of the deal as they can, and to hell with the impact it has on the island.
You can however blame the Government. You know the ones I mean. The ones who were screaming about Eco-Gozo not so long ago. The ones who made a promise to reform Mepa and stop this form of environmental rape.
As for the Mepa DCC board, what can you say? Does any member of the public have any confidence in any decision these people come to? Why doesn’t the Government save itself a fortune and sack all the Mepa case officers. After all what is the point of having them when the DCC board never listens to their opinions.
In closing can I just ask what Gozo needs more apartments for? The bloody island is coming down with empty apartments and houses. Why don’t they concentrate in fixing these up first and kill two birds with one stone? They would be providing the accommodation, which they think they, need and removing some of the many eyesores that presently exist on the island.
# 2 December 2008 at 9:02 am

Jenny Carter said:
Yet again poor Gozo is under siege from greedy,shortsighted development. If this project goes ahead all it will do is add to the ever increasing number of empty poperties and put a new blot on a lovely piece of landscape. Soon all the beauty of Gozo will be gone and when visitors stop coming these very same entrepreneurs will be the first to wonder why.
Wake up to the reason people like Gozo! - Cherish it’s unique atmosphere and STOP unnecessary development!
# 2 December 2008 at 10:41 am

Charles Portelli said:
It is pertinent to point out that the developers are close relative of Dr Ray Xerri. This guy was known for his role in the “ECO” ngo, very active in the ’90s promoting nature and environment. Four out of five members of the local council voted against this project. Dr Xerri, now that he is the locality vice-mayor, was the only one who opted to vote in favor of this monstrosity. Curious policy twist, isn’t it? In my humble opinion, this is a crass conflict of interest. Considering his infinite wisdom, he’d have been far wiser to abstain from voting.
# 2 December 2008 at 10:44 am

Steve & Chris McIntosh said:
Whilst we feel that the ‘Bucket’ could do with a little TLC the proposed re-development is way, way over the top. Despite several ‘promises’ to the contrary, Gozo will soon rival Malta in over-development.
# 2 December 2008 at 11:49 am

Rachel Robinson said:
If anyone wants to find a place to eat I can point them in the direction of lots of other places - most of which close for most of the time in winter due to lack of trade. As for houses or flats with pools there are thousands upon thousands of empty ones already and a recession meaning no one is buying. This project makes no financial sense - and the environmental impact is just crazy.
# 2 December 2008 at 4:56 pm

Joe Wolff said:
It would be a shame to allow any vertical growth on this scenic overlook. Although Malta is certainly dependant on tourism projects like this are slowly eroding its old world charm.
# 2 December 2008 at 7:36 pm

Lesley Kreupl said:
What can I add? It is so utterly dispicable of the Government, and in particular, the Ministry for a so-called ECO Gozo, to even contemplate plans such as these. I can only wonder who is washing whose hands and with what soap (read euros).
I certainly don’t approve of MEPA but is appears that it simply doesn’t have a chance to do an honest evaluation or job when it is up against the devious, unscrupulous competition metered out by these polititions, architects and developers. Shame on all of them!
By the time poor little Gozo sinks under all the concrete, garbage and sewage, I suppose they will be out trying to destroy some place else or trying to launder their millions.
Refurbish by all means, renovate and protect, but don’t destroy what can never be replaced.
# 2 December 2008 at 8:47 pm

mark causon said:
It would be a scandal should such an application be granted, i am sure that this does not fit in ECO GOZO, although one can never really understand what they mean by ECO GOZO.
# 2 December 2008 at 9:08 pm

Charles Portelli said:
news update… in an unusual twist, MEPA actually listened to the complaints arriving from every part of the island, and refused the application with a unanimous 7-0 vote.
we usually complain at MEPA that they give way too much leverage to specualtors, etc etc. In this instance this was not the case. So, kudos to MEPA on this one, they fully deserve it. Keep up the good work guys… and try to use this same ruler in your future decisions.
# 3 December 2008 at 11:07 am

swimmer said:
Hi Charles,
From face value it looks that MEPA did their job as they should, however from what I heard through the grapevine it is not a closed case.
Therefore I urge Qala local council and those involved in the objection of this complex, to keep their EYES WIDE OPEN.
# 3 December 2008 at 12:21 pm

M. Camilleri said:
We will keep our eyes wide open for any other move.
# 14 December 2008 at 9:28 pm

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