Watch: ‘There Were Times We Cried’ – Save Ħondoq Supporters Gather To Celebrate Historic Win
Save Ħondoq supporters from all walks of life gathered last night in Ħondoq ir-Rummien to rejoice over the recent decision which cleared the Gozitan bay from any prospective development.
Organised by Qala Mayor Paul Buttigieg, all the pivotal people in the 22-year fight against a marina and touristic village planned for the area gathered to celebrate the recent win with good food and company.
Among the many present, there was Paul’s family and his wife Carmen, Lawyer Claire Bonello, Moviment Graffitti activist Andre Callus, Marine Biologist Alan Deidun, and Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar lead activist Astrid Vella.
Buttigieg thanked all of the people who were there for him during the trying times, especially his wife and lawyer Bonello.
He also affirmed that the next step for Ħondoq will be to see it transformed into a national park, confirming that he’s had meetings with Prime Minister Robert Abela over the last weeks.
“I got nothing else to say, I’m really happy. And I couldn’t thank my wife enough for being so patient with me,” he told the crowd.
Apart from the speeches which were given by the main speakers, Buttigieg also had a sweet surprise planned for his wife’s birthday, on the event of their 38th wedding anniversary.
And people who were united through the same fight for environmental conservation also got the chance to meet and have discussions outside of the usual protest scenario.
After a long and never-ending battle, the Court of Appeal declared that the Planning Authority was right to reject the new plans submitted by the developer after the EIA had been finalised.
Gozo Prestige had opposed the decision for the refusal of the application, which would have led to the eventual destruction of Ħondoq Bay.
The Qala Creek Project application first surfaced back in 2002 on 8th August, and has gone through many stages of hearings and appeals.
The proposed development encompassed a luxurious 5-star hotel with 110 bedrooms, 25 self-catering villas, 60 apartments served by the hotel, 203 additional apartments, 1,249 underground parking spaces, and a village centre featuring a church and shops.
What do you make of this celebration?
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