Away from the political limelight

Abstract

While all political contestants are engrossed in the time-honoured antics and posturing in view of the March 8 election, some preposterous Outside Development Zone applications have been filed. These include the proposed construction of a three-star aparthotel (PA00071/08) along the undeveloped section Triq ii-Marfa, Mellielia, right in the middle of an ODZ area. As if the garish desecration of the heights on one side of Triq ii-Marfa by obtrusive monoliths were not enough, the developers (synonymous with numerous scourges at Balirija) have now set their sights on the opposite, virgin side of the road. It would be interesting if some of our budding and aspiring ministers actually took time off the campaign trail to denounce such preposterous applications. Is anyone actually proposing an outright ban on all ODZ applications, excluding those for legitimate purposes? Why was Environment Minister George Pullicino's proposal not taken on board at a political level? Is it because of the leverage of developers, who are frenetically trying to douse such types of proposals without having the courage to say so in public? The Prime Minister's pledge to demolish at once all illegal developments is laudable but pales in front of the deluge of ODZ applications.