Echoes of Nadur cemetery case

Abstract

The proposed development at Tal-Marga in Qala, Gozo, is reminiscent of the Nadur cemetery case which spelt disaster for aquifer-derived irrigation water pumped by farmers. PA 07697/06 was submitted in March 2007 for the development of an apartment block with basement garage, while PA 04724/07 was submitted to Mepa in April 2008 for the proposed construction of five houses with pools. In a few days’ time, Mepa will deliberate on the outcome of the former planning application, with the architect for the applicant in this case being asked to submit fresh plans in which no uptake of ODZ land is being contemplated. Besides the thorny ODZ issue, such an application is bothersome for another reason – the area in question is prone to frequent flooding episodes since it lies upstream of the Tal-Marga valley, which eventually meanders down to Ħondoq ir-Rummien.