Momentum firmly opposes high-rise development in Gozo

Momentum expresses serious concern at the latest planning application proposing a development of up to twelve storeys on the Calypso Hotel site in Marsalforn. This project, which includes over 140 apartments, a four-star hotel and extensive commercial outlets, marks another step in the steady erosion of Gozo’s character and skyline.

Dr Matthew Agius, executive member of Momentum, said, “High-rise buildings in Gozo are no longer a distant threat. They have already become a reality following large-scale developments in Xlendi and the overdevelopment of Marsalforn. This latest proposal signals a dangerous precedent, opening the door to even taller buildings in one of Gozo’s densely developed coastal areas.”

Momentum notes with alarm that both major political parties have failed Gozo. The Labour government continues to issue permits for large-scale developments, while the leader of the opposition and Partit Nazzjonalista has publicly stated that Gozo, too, should have high-rise buildings. This bipartisan acceptance of overdevelopment leaves Gozitans without meaningful political representation on this issue.

Momentum is clear and unequivocal: unlike both PN and PL, we steadfastly oppose any form of high-rise development in Gozo. Gozo is rapidly losing the very qualities that make it unique, including its traditional village skylines and the sensitive relationship between the built environment and the landscape.

Matthew Agius added, “Crucially, no comprehensive capacity assessment has ever been carried out to determine how much development Gozo can realistically sustain. There is no published evaluation of the island’s infrastructure limits, including water and energy supply, sewage and waste management, and road capacity. Approving developments of this scale without such assessments is irresponsible and places long-term pressure on residents and the environment.”

Momentum is deeply concerned by the cumulative impact of developments in Marsalforn. Each project is assessed in isolation, while the combined effect on traffic congestion, air and noise pollution, coastal pressure, and public spaces is ignored. The proposed extension towards an outside development zone raises further questions about the gradual encroachment on protected land.

Momentum calls for an immediate halt to high-rise proposals in Gozo, the introduction of a clear height policy specific to the island, and the publication of a transparent, island-wide carrying capacity study before any further major permits are considered. Gozo deserves planning that prioritises residents, heritage, and sustainability, not short-term profit.

Momentum remains committed to defending Gozo’s character, identity, and quality of life, and will continue to oppose developments that threaten the island’s future.

Momentum jopponi bil-qawwa bini għoli f’Għawdex

Momentum jesprimi tħassib serju dwar l-aħħar applikazzjoni tal-ippjanar li qed tipproponi żvilupp sa tnax-il sular fuq is-sit tal-Lukanda Calypso f’Marsalforn. Dan il-proġett, li jinkludi aktar minn 140 appartament, lukanda ta’ erba’ stilel u diversi stabbilimenti kummerċjali, jimmarka pass ieħor fit-tħassir kontinwu tal-karattru u l-pajsaġġ ta’ Għawdex.

Dr Matthew Agius, membru eżekuttiv ta’ Momentum, qal: “Il-bini għoli f’Għawdex m’għadux theddida fil-bogħod. Diġà sar realtà wara żviluppi fuq skala kbira fix-Xlendi u l-iżvilupp eċċessiv f’ Marsalforn. Din l-aħħar proposta twassal għal preċedent perikoluż, li tiftaħ il-bieb għal bini saħansitra ogħla f’waħda miż-żoni kostali l-aktar żviluppati f’Għawdex.”

Momentum jinnota b’allarm li ż-żewġ partiti politiċi ewlenin fallew lil Għawdex. Il-gvern Laburista jkompli joħroġ permessi għal żviluppi fuq skala kbira, filwaqt li l-kap tal-oppożizzjoni u l-Partit Nazzjonalista ddikjara pubblikament li Għawdex ukoll għandu jkollu bini għoli. Dan il-qbil  bipartisan tal-iżvilupp eċċessiv tħalli lill-Għawdxin mingħajr rappreżentazzjoni politika serja dwar din il-kwistjoni.

Momentum huwa ċar: b’differenza kemm mill-PN kif ukoll mill-PL, aħna nopponu b’mod sħiħ kull forma ta’ bini għoli f’Għawdex. Għawdex qed jitlef il-kwalitajiet li jagħmluh uniku, inkluż il-pajsaġġ tradizzjonali tal-villaġġi u r-relazzjoni sensittiva bejn l-ambjent mibni u l-kampanja.

Matthew Agius żied jgħid: “B’mod kruċjali, qatt ma sar studju komprensiv biex jiġi ddeterminat b’mod realistiku kemm żvilupp jista’ jiflaħ Għawdex. M’hemm l-ebda evalwazzjoni ppubblikata dwar il-limiti tal-infrastruttura tal-gżira, inkluż il-provvista tal-ilma u l-enerġija, il-ġestjoni tad-drenaġġ u l-iskart, u l-kapaċità tat-toroq. L-approvazzjoni ta’ żviluppi ta’ din l-iskala mingħajr studji bħal dawn hija irresponsabbli u tpoġġi pressjoni fit-tul fuq ir-residenti u l-ambjent.”

Momentum huwa mħasseb serjament bl-impatt kumulattiv tal-iżviluppi f’Marsalforn. Kull proġett qed jiġi evalwat b’mod iżolat, filwaqt li l-effett totali fuq il-konġestjoni tat-traffiku, it-tniġġis tal-arja u tal-istorbju, il-pressjoni fuq il-kosta, u l-ispazji pubbliċi qed jiġi injorat. L-estensjoni proposta lejn żona barra mill-konfini tal-iżvilupp (ODZ) tqajjem aktar mistoqsijiet dwar it-teħid gradwali ta’ art protetta.

Momentum iħeġġeġ biex jieqfu immedjatament il-proposti għal bini għoli f’Għawdex, biex tiġi introdotta politika ċara dwar l-għoli tal-bini speċifika għall-gżira, u biex jiġi ppubblikat studju trasparenti dwar il-kapaċità tal-gżira kollha qabel ma jiġu kkunsidrati aktar permessi kbar. Għawdex jixraqlu ppjanar li jagħti prijorità lir-residenti, lill-wirt storiku, u lis-sostenibbiltà, mhux lill-profitt għal żmien qasir.

Momentum jibqa’ impenjat li jiddefendi l-karattru, l-identità, u l-kwalità tal-ħajja f’Għawdex, u se jkompli jopponi żviluppi li jheddu l-futur tal-gżira.

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