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4 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 26 SEPTEMBER 2025 NEWS THE Coalition for Gozo, a lo- cal organisation advocating for sustainable development, has expressed concern over recent comments made by Opposition Leader Alex Borg regarding the construction of towers in Gozo. In a public statement, the Co- alition called for greater clari- ty and consultation on future planning policies affecting the island. "We are not opposed to development when it is carried out in a thoughtful and appro- priate manner," the Coalition said. "However, any changes to building heights or skyline policies should be preceded by detailed consultation with stakeholders and the general public." The group urged the Opposi- tion Leader to outline his po- sition more clearly and called on the government to adopt recommendations it has previ- ously submitted. "The govern- ment holds the tools to address these concerns," the Coalition stated. "The implementation of long-standing proposals would help protect Gozo's distinct identity and ensure future de- velopment is managed respon- sibly." Comments made earlier this week by Borg, in which he stat- ed he is not opposed to the construction of towers in Gozo provided they are guided by a new skyline policy, have drawn criticism from civil society groups and prompted respons- es from government officials. The remarks attracted atten- tion particularly in relation to the proposed redevelopment of Fort Chambray, which in- cludes the demolition of the 1890s British barracks to make way for a high-density housing project. Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri responded by dis- tancing the government from the idea, stating that he does not support the building of towers on the island. Howev- er, the Coalition argued that large-scale development has continued under successive ad- ministrations, contributing to concerns about the impact on Gozo's built environment and cultural landscape. Prime Minister Robert Abela also expressed disagreement with Borg's comments. His re- sponse was noted in the con- text of a proposed legislative amendment introduced last year, which would have limited judicial oversight in planning decisions. That proposal was ultimately withdrawn follow- ing public criticism. The coalition said that Gozo continues "to experience on- going development pressure, raising questions about how to balance economic growth with environmental and cultural preservation." Gozo coalition seeks clearer planning policies after Alex Borg's high-rise comments In the summer of 2025, visitors and residents arriving at Gozo were met by a skyline marked by tower cranes over Ghajnsielem (photo: Daniel Cilia) CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 It all came back to haunt him when the new PN leader was talking to Whowho.mt. "You can't generalise," he said. "You can't say Gozo in gener- al. You have areas where there could be, based on the skyline policy," Borg said when asked about high-rise. The PN leader argued that his proposed skyline policy would identify zones in Gozo where high-rises may be allowed, rather than keeping the cur- rent blanket ban. But days later Borg recanted, arguing that his words had been misconstrued and that he was not in favour of high-rise in Gozo. That original response from Alex Borg led to a stern reac- tion from Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri, who was quick to hit out at Alex Borg. At present, Gozo has no tow- ers except for one project ap- proved under a Nationalist Government before 2013. The Labour Government revised the skyline policy in 2014, rul- ing out towers in Gozo entire- ly. In Malta, tall buildings are restricted to six specific areas, including Tigné, Paceville and Gżira. The Labour administration has since gone further, approv- ing the Gozo Regional Devel- opment Strategy, a ten-year framework that presents the is- land as an "archipelago of villag- es" with a distinct identity and character. The strategy explicitly rules out high-rise development as part of Gozo's future vision. Minister Clint Camilleri ac- cused Borg of wanting to re- verse these protections. Writ- ing on Facebook, he said Borg wants to undo the island's vil- lage identity. "After only two weeks in office, the PN Leader is saying that un- der him, towers will start being built in Gozo. Honestly, I could not believe it when I was told about this statement," Camill- eri said. He stressed that under the current government, towers are prohibited in Gozo with- out exception. "Gozitans know that today, under this Govern- ment, it is completely forbidden to have a permit for a tower in Gozo. Yes, in all of Gozo, with- out exception," he wrote. But though Camilleri struck a chord with his defence of Gozo's development policy, he is facing tough criticism for piloting the planning reform, which is seen as a game changer for planning laws and an oppor- tunity for speculators. Camilleri was reported as say- ing that Labour would continue to resist pressure for high-rise projects. "We believe in the facts of Gozo as an island of villages, and we will continue to work to protect its unique characteristics." But on the pro- posed planning reform he had little to add. Gozo skyline sparks political clash At present, Gozo has no towers except for one project approved under a Nationalist Government before 2013

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