Environment groups Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth (Malta) and Ramblers Association state that the illegal development taking place at San Blas Gozo gives rise to grave concern at many levels.
The abusive works, which are not covered by any application or permit, were reported to MEPA on the 18th of June. Yet enforcement action only being taken now, after the case was exposed in the press. The site has often been the target of illegal development in recent years; this alone should have made MEPA extra vigilant. The developer in question has also been responsible for unlawful uprooting of protected trees in the past yet his permit on that abusive site was still granted. This repeated closing of a blind eye strongly suggests that the authorities condone his abuse.
The NGOs ask what steps are being taken by the Lands Department to establish whether this is private or public land. It is hoped that the fact that MEPA and the Lands Department now fall under the same ministry does not mean that the Lands Department will become party to the ‘promote development at all costs’ policy.
This site is so highly protected as an ‘Area of Ecological Importance/Site of Scientific Importance’, that not only were abusive developments cleared last year, but an application to prune a tamarisk tree was refused; however MEPA now seems to be closing a blind eye to this high level of protection in order to accommodate one of Gozo’s most powerful developers. The site that has been cleared of vegetation and protected rubble walls is not small, and will invariably encroach further, destroying the features and character of the area and causing light and noise pollution.
The preservation of Malta and Gozo’s landscapes relies on agriculture and not on development. What is being done to assist farmers, or is it only developers who are receiving support?
Gozo’s economy depends on tourism, and Gozo’s unique characteristics are essential to the success of its tourist industry. San Blas is Gozo’s only untouched bay as Marsalforn, Xlendi, Qbajjar, Dahlet Qorrot, Hondoq Bay, Mgarr ix-Xini and even Ramla l-Hamra have been subjected to varying degrees of commercialisation due to over-development, slipways, boathouses, restaurants and kiosks. A few years ago the benefits of marketing Gozo as an eco-island were recognised as having a strong potential to attract the high-quality tourism. This concept was launched with much fanfare, though not implemented.
The authorities are now sacrificing Gozo’s economic potential for the benefit of developers, replacing the character that attracts tourists to Gozo by the over-development that is ruining Malta.