Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1532025
4 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 31 JANUARY 2025 NEWS GOZO is set to come alive with romance and festivity this Febru- ary as the Ministry for Gozo and Planning launches 'Inħobbok – Valentine's in Gozo 2025'. Span- ning from 1st to 16th February, the programme promises an array of events designed to provide an unforgettable experience for those celebrating love on the island. Minister for Gozo and Plan- ning, Clint Camilleri, spoke of the significance of these celebrations in reinvigorating Gozo's cultur- al calendar during its launch on Wednesday. "With the Valentine's festivities, Gozo's vibrant cultural scene is reignited, setting the stage for a year of unforgettable experienc- es on the island. This event has become a key attraction, reaf- firming Gozo as a hub of culture and hospitality. 'Inħobbok – Val- entine's in Gozo' is, above all, an annual opportunity to showcase the island in an innovative and engaging way," he said. The minister further empha- sised that these celebrations align with Gozo's broader cultural as- pirations. "Our commitment to establish- ing Gozo as a top Mediterranean destination is evident not only in the creativity of our events but al- so in our dedication to fostering a strong cultural landscape. This investment is crucial as we work towards our ambition of securing the title of European Capital of Culture for 2031, an honour that would reflect the island's unique identity and dynamic heritage." This year's Valentine's pro- gramme will blend tradition with new attractions, ensuring an en- gaging experience for visitors. The highlight of the celebrations will be a spectacular concert at Independence Square in the heart of Victoria. For a full programme of events and further details, visit the events in Gozo website. Minister Camilleri concluded by inviting everyone to experi- ence the magic of Gozo during this special time of year. "These celebrations of love and creativity mark the beginning of another significant year in Gozo's cultural and artistic journey. We look forward to welcoming vis- itors to enjoy everything our is- land has to offer." 'Inhobbok – Valentine's in Gozo 2025' unveiled NGOs welcome court decision to revoke ODZ swimming pool permit ENVIRONMENTAL NGOs have welcomed a landmark rul- ing by the Court of Appeal, pre- sided over by Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti, which revoked a per- mit for the development of an ODZ swimming pool and land- scaping works next to an apart- ment block approved along the Marsalforn valley in Xagħra. Din l-Art Ħelwa (DLĦ) hailed the ruling as a significant step in protecting Malta and Gozo's ru- ral landscapes from unsustaina- ble development. "This was a joint effort by a number of NGOs concerned with our built and natural envi- ronment in Malta and Gozo in particular. The court's sentence highlights in particular the incor- rect interpretation of the facts as established by the Environment and Planning Review Tribu- nal (EPRT). This is not the first time that this has occurred, so it should come as another wake-up call to the Tribunal to take cogni- sance of the facts and act accord- ingly," said Patrick Calleja, Exec- utive President of DLĦ. Moviment Graffitti also praised the ruling, stating that it reaf- firmed the need for stronger en- forcement of planning laws. "This morning, the Court can- celled Joseph Portelli's permit for an ODZ pool in the Marsalforn Valley. In 2022, the Planning Au- thority (PA) issued a permit for this illegal and destructive devel- opment," activist group said in a statement. "Unfortunately, many of these developments have already been completed, as Malta has a law that allows developers to contin- ue building while an appeal is un- derway. Prime Minister Robert Abela's promise to reform this law remains unfulfilled. The fight against the reign of developers must continue." The ruling overturned a 2022 permit issued to Mark Agius, a business associate of Joseph Portelli, for the development of a swimming pool in an ODZ area despite a clear recommendation by the case officer to refuse the project. The case officer had determined that the proposed pool area ran counter to a local plan policy pro- hibiting pools in ODZ areas adja- cent to ridge edges unless it could be proven that the interventions were occurring on existing and established gardens. Despite this, the permit was is- sued and later confirmed by the Environment and Planning Re- view Tribunal (EPRT). However, in its ruling, the court referred to the same local plan policy to revoke the permit. It also ques- tioned the EPRT's assumption that the presence of rubble walls in aerial photos from 1967 was sufficient proof that the pool site was an established garden. The law courts have already re- voked permits for two other ODZ swimming pool developments linked to companies owned by Mark Agius and Joseph Portelli in Qala and Sannat. Agius has recently applied to remove a passageway separating the apartment block in Sannat from an already built pool, whose permit was also revoked by the courts. Although the pools have not yet been constructed, the site has been excavated. The court appeal was filed by Moviment Graffitti, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA), and the Xagħra Lo- cal Council. Environmentalists are urging authorities to take further action against illegal developments and to strengthen laws that currently allow developers to proceed with construction while appeals are pending. Calls for Prime Minister Robert Abela to fulfil his promise to reform planning laws continue to grow in light of this ruling. MARIANNA CALLEJA mcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt Photo showing the site in 2022 before pools were approved. Since then the site has been partly excavated (Photo: Planning Authority)