|
Dear Friends and Supporters,
The ink has hardly dried on our last circular, and here’s another one already! So much has happened on the environment front that an update is already a must. We’ve decided that a little and often will beat long outdated newsletters hands down.
As mentioned last week, your efforts to raise the profile of environmental awareness have not been wasted. Within weeks of our second successful rally, we were invited along with other environment NGO representatives to meet the Prime Minister and Minister Pullicino at Castille. The main issues discussed at the Prime Minister’s office were: the Rationalisation Schemes, the reform of the outdated Rent Laws and proposals on the rehabilitation of old properties in urban cores.
Nothing new you might be thinking, but this time it was YOUR ideas and concerns shared with us through your emails and phone calls, that were being put to the PM, and in fact the meeting which was supposed to last half an hour, continued for over two and a half hours.
So, although overnight results are hardly expected, we were pleased to have the opportunity to representing you at the highest level. Overall we felt this to be a encouraging meeting which brought us to a greater understanding of each other’s position on key issues.
Further to that, we are of course still in contact with the EU on Malta’s non-compliance with the SEA directive on the Rationalisation Scheme. For some time we have also been considering the setting up of sub-committees in each town and village in Malta and Gozo in order to record buildings of interest, monitor building applications etc. Supporters are already coming forward to set up sub-committees for Lija, Valletta and Mellieha. We are therefore calling on volunteers interested in spending a few hours a month helping to preserve the character and quality of their town or village. As many of you had shown an interest in assisting us in your spare time when registering with us, we hope that this call will be taken up enthusiastically.
We are also looking for another motivated person interested in working on a specific project to promote the upkeep of old houses through scheme of grants, tax exemptions etc. Although architectural experience is not essential for any of this work, we would really appreciate the help of an architect, possibly someone retired, with a bit of time to spare.
Latest issues:
Wied Tal-Madonna in Mellieha. This is another valley currently under threat from development. Applications to extend a hotel and build a block of 18 flats across the watercourse violate Mepa regulations. We feel that this is yet another case of big business raping the countryside with the help of not-very ethical architects, as well as MEPA failure in enforcement vis-a’-vis the illegally set up back-road across the valley.
Hondoq ir-Rummien, Gozo: this quiet bay, know for its breathtaking views across the channel and for its clean and limpid seas is also being threatened! Developers of the Qala Creek project intend building a 170-bedroom hotel, as well as 25 villas, 260 dwelling units, 10 shops and 5 restaurants; in a nutshell, an entire village on land which is ODZ. A yacht marina accommodating 100-150 yachts which would inevitably affect the water quality is also being planned. This must not be allowed!
………………………….
So, that’s all the news for today.
We will get back to you again with further news from the environmental front line!
Regards,
The Committee
Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar
|