SOS Hondoq

Please refuse Hondoq permit now

2011-08-15T13:44:00.024+02:00

Moviment Ħarsien Ħondoq together with Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Ramblers Association, NatureTrust, FOE Malta, Din l-Art Helwa, Wirt Ghawdex and Bicref ask you to support their call to MEPA to refuse the permit for the Hondoq project.

Hondoq in 1952. Click on Photos to enlarge.

Dear Ħondoq supporter,

MEPA’s Environment Protection Directorate’s recommendation against the development of a real estate/marina complex at Ħondoq ir-Rummien is welcomed by all those who have been fighting against this proposal for the last 9 years. However, it is important to keep the momentum going and ensure that the MEPA Board follows through this decision by refusing to grant a permit to the developers.

Another issue that needs to be addressed is the policy regarding Ħondoq in the Gozo and Comino Local Plan, which was changed without consultation, from one in favour of rehabilitation, to one in favour of development. This policy should be changed back to what was agreed upon between MEPA and the Qala Local Council in 2002, where Ħondoq Bay and its surroundings were designated as being Outside the Development Zone (ODZ).

Finally we propose that Ħondoq be turned into a National Park, as already planned by the Qala Local Council, and that the area be rehabilitated and protected in order that everyone can continue to enjoy this area of outstanding natural beauty for generations to come.

Please continue to show your support by signing the petition below, and help ensure that the MEPA Board upholds the decision of MEPA's Environment Protection Directorate, and refuses to grant a permit for the development of Ħondoq ir-Rummien into a real estate/marina complex.

CLICK HERE

Also please pass this e-mail to all on your contact lists.

Our aim is for Hondoq to remain for everyone to enjoy.

Thank you for your support.
Moviment Harsien Hondoq

Save Hondoq ir-Rummien | Promote Your Page Too

Affari Taghna

2011-03-12T13:33:00.002+01:00

For those of you who didn't watch the TV programme Affari Taghna on the 11th March, 2011.

Click on the link below and go to 11th March to see the whole programme.

The discussion about Hondoq ir-Rummien is from 1.49 to 2.04 .

http://public.di-ve.com/streaming/on_demand_event_encoding.aspx?id=4701&backUrl=streaming/on_demand_event_programs.aspx&groupID129

Courtesy of www.di-ve.com

Bla Agenda

2010-12-06T19:34:00.001+01:00

For those of you who didn't watch Bla Agenda on the 13th of November. The programme's televoting question was about Hondoq. Click on the link below to see the overwelming support Moviment Harsien Hondoq got!

Courtesy of www.di-ve.com

http://public.di-ve.com/streaming/on_demand_event_encoding.aspx?id=4339&backUrl=streaming/on_deman...

Video of Hondoq

2010-10-09T09:20:00.002+02:00

Click on the link below to view video of Hondoq r-Rummien.

Video of Hondoq

One coverage of the Public Consultation held at the Qala Primary School

2010-07-07T17:41:00.001+02:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QUP3Gm_OFM&feature=related

One coverage for the exhibition held at Heritage Malta

2010-07-07T17:38:00.000+02:00

http://www.youtube.com/user/OneNewsBlog#p/u/115/7L_aXqa5eJU

Favourite Channel Coverage for the exhibition held at Heritage Malta

2010-07-07T17:37:00.002+02:00

Click on the link below to watch the clip coverage of Favourite Channel about the students' presentation of the proposed plans for Hondoq ir-Rummien to be turned into a national park.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d5Z6brCcd8

2010-05-02T16:22:00.018+02:00

Dear Hondoq supporter,

As you may know, the tranquility of Hondoq ir-Rummien is being threatened by an application for a massive project, which includes a large hotel, villas, apartments, shops and a yacht marina.

Gozo cannot afford to turn Hondoq ir-Rummien in another commercialised area like Xlendi, Marsalforn and Imgarr, for it deprives people of places to relax in contact with nature away from the usual stress of their urban surroundings Such a project will also detract from Gozo’s unspoilt appeal and will therefore be detrimental to tourism in Gozo.

MEPA is asking the public to submit comments regarding the Environment Impact Statement (EIS) before the 12th May 2010. We took the liberty of writing a standard letter, which we are asking you to kindly submit to MEPA.

We call on you to help us ensure that Hondoq remains part of our natural heritage, as planned prior to the 2006 Gozo Local Plan by

CLICK HERE

Also please pass this e-mail to all on your contact lists.

Our aim is for Hondoq to remain for everyone to enjoy.

Thank you for your support.

Moviment Harsien Hondoq

Legality Now

2010-03-14T14:32:00.005+01:00

The links below show the coverage that local media gave to the rally organized by 8 NGO's, which Moviment Harsien Hondoq attended.

http://www.maltastar.com/pages/r1/ms10dart.asp?a=7650

http://www.it-torca.com/news.asp?newsitemid=9271

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100313/local/ngos-hold-environment-protest

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100314/local/hundreds-protest-and-call-for-better-environmental-protection

http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=103063

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2010/03/14/pix/cover_march14_2010.pdf

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2010/03/14/t8.html

Inizjattiva għal proġetti fil-Belt u Ħondoq ir-Rummien

2009-02-18T20:02:00.003+01:00

http://www.l-orizzont.com/news.asp?newsitemid=51081

Hondoq mentioned in The New York Times Blog

2008-06-26T21:17:00.002+02:00

Click on the link below to see how Hondoq was mentioned and also see the video clip and the comments further down in the blog.

http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/25/mopeds-horsemeat-and-pynchon-on-malta/

Article on "Il-Hajja f'Ghawdex"

2008-02-17T12:20:00.004+01:00

Click on picture to enlarge

Leaflet being handed out at Hondoq ir-Rummien

2007-08-09T12:53:00.000+02:00

Click on the brochure to enlarge

Please Help us save Hondoq ir-Rummien

2006-11-14T00:11:00.000+01:00

SOS Hondoq meets European Commision

http://www.maltastar.com/pages/msFullArt.asp?an=13587

Click here to see our latest Newsletter

Have a look how hard we have been working.

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Hands Off Hondoq!

2006-09-09T15:41:00.000+02:00

The quarry as it was in 1951.
Nature can still be reversed to this pristine state.
(Click photo to enlarge)

Hondoq ir-Rummien, a coastal area and bay in Qala Gozo, is one of the few remaining tracts of open countryside left in the Maltese Islands. The sea in this area boasts some of the cleanest, clearest water in all of Malta and Gozo, attracting locals and divers alike to spend time in this tranquil beauty spot.

It is now being threatened by a proposed development plan to build a five star hotel catering for 170 bedrooms, approximately 25 villas, 60 Self Catering Units, 200 Multi-Ownership Residences, 731 Underground parking spaces (only 90 allowed for public use), 10 shops, 5 restaurants and a marina for between 100 to 150 crafts.

So help us save Hondoq by signing the petition.

Thank you for your support, and forward this email to your family, friends and collegues for them to visit http://soshondoq.blogspot.com and sign the petition too.

HANDS OFF HONDOQ!

Our aim is to rehabilitate the disused quarry into a national park where everyone can enjoy the beauty of nature as was previously listed in the Gozo Local Plan.

The Movement's objections to the project

2006-09-08T11:04:00.000+02:00

The developers are insisting that the sandy beach will not be touched. Whatever they say, the beach and all the surrounding area will definitely suffer.

The project which includes a hotel, a small village and a yacht marina is too extensive for such a small area as Hondoq ir-Rummien. Consequently the planned building will be crammed along the rock face turning the present beautiful rock panorama into an eyesore. What is more the sandy beach will be engulfed by it.
The clear waters of Hondoq ir-Rummien will become heavily polluted. The heavy sea traffic envisaged which will enter and leave the creek just a few meters away from the beach will surely take its toll in the waters of the bay.
The present peace and quietness which are the main attraction of Hondoq ir-Rummien will be totally destroyed with the coming and going of yachts and holiday makers and with the heavy traffic generated in servicing the whole area.
Once this project is approved it will not be a one off but will surely be the first of a string of development which will devour the whole eastern side of Gozo at a very quick pace as happened in other areas of the island.
It is not just Hondoq ir-Rummien that will suffer but the whole village of Qala will suffer too. The traffic which such development will generate will have to make its way through the quiet and narrow streets of the village, destroying the peace for which it is so well known and because of which so many make it their holiday place.

Facts about the proposed Qala Creek project

2006-09-08T10:56:00.000+02:00

The developers are planning to:

Cut all the remaining stone in the quarry - that is twice the amount that has been cut so far to make space for the project.
Excavate the present parking space so that the sea will be let in right into the quarry. This new inlet which they are calling 'creek' will be separated from the present sandy beach by a few meters.
In the area stretching from the depth of the quarry and eastwards along the rocky cliffside they plan to build a five star hotel catering for 170 beds, approximately 25 Self Catering Villas, 60 Self Catering Units and 200 Multi-Ownership Residences.
731 Underground parking spaces subdivided into:
- 160 under the hotel
- 90 reserved for the public along the foreshore (During Summer more than 200 hundred cars are parked there, so where are the rest going to Park?)
- 235 south-west village centre
- 216 east village
- 40 north east tip
10 Retail Units
5 Dining Facilities
The gross floor area of the commercial area is 3750m².
A marina for between 100 to 150 craft depending on the size of the vessels.

SOS Hondoq

Please refuse Hondoq permit now

Affari Taghna

For those of you who didn't watch the TV programme Affari Taghna on the 11th March, 2011.

Click on the link below and go to 11th March to see the whole programme.

The discussion about Hondoq ir-Rummien is from 1.49 to 2.04 .

Bla Agenda

For those of you who didn't watch Bla Agenda on the 13th of November. The programme's televoting question was about Hondoq. Click on the link below to see the overwelming support Moviment Harsien Hondoq got! Courtesy of www.di-ve.com

Video of Hondoq

One coverage of the Public Consultation held at the Qala Primary School

One coverage for the exhibition held at Heritage Malta

Favourite Channel Coverage for the exhibition held at Heritage Malta

Legality Now

Inizjattiva għal proġetti fil-Belt u Ħondoq ir-Rummien

Hondoq mentioned in The New York Times Blog

Article on "Il-Hajja f'Ghawdex"

Leaflet being handed out at Hondoq ir-Rummien

Please Help us save Hondoq ir-Rummien

Hands Off Hondoq!

The Movement's objections to the project

Facts about the proposed Qala Creek project

For those of you who didn't watch Bla Agenda on the 13th of November. The programme's televoting question was about Hondoq. Click on the link below to see the overwelming support Moviment Harsien Hondoq got!

Courtesy of www.di-ve.com