Gozo - land of apartment blocks, dumps and devious development schemes

Abstract

On returning to Malta from every successive visit to Gozo, I feel more disillusioned than on my previous visit. The rate at which Gozo is turning from the fabled Calypso into a land of ogres of every genre is hair-raising. Climbing to the top of the Citadel in Victoria, you get a bird's eye view of what I am alluding to. Victoria has already claimed the scalp of neighbouring Munxar and Kercem, since these have merged into one, and is now extending its rapacious tentacles in the direction of Xewkija and Sannat. Going quickly through development applications, one caught my eye. It referred to the proposed construction of 66 flats in Ghajnsielem (PA 04319/02 ) - yes, 66 flats! MEPA believes that around 40 per cent of all buildings in Gozo are vacant, which is much higher than that on Malta, where the figure is around 25 per cent. Surely, even considering such an application is preposterous - I would fine the applicant simply for showing such cheek!