|
Matthew Vella
The European Union’s Commissioner for Environment Stavros Dimas has told MaltaToday that Ta’ Cenc has to be designated under the Birds and Habitats directives as a Special Protection Area (SPA).
However a map outlining the SPA and attached to a letter sent to MaltaToday by a George Pullicino spokesman confirms that only a small area of Ta’ Cenc will be awared protections status (see letters page 20)
Dimas confirmed that Ta’ Cenc has now been recognised as one of the sites which should be designated as an SPA, following exchanges of scientific information between the Commission, the European Environment Agency, NGOs and the Maltese authorities.
Designating Ta’ Cenc as an SPA will oblige the Maltese government to safeguard the Ta’ Cenc habitat.
But Malta’s foremost bird area in Gozo was controversially left out by the Maltese government in its list of candidates for Natura 2000, the EU project for the designation of areas of special conservation interest, back in 2004.
The Commissioner said an agreement should be found bilaterally before endorsement at the bilateral biogeographic seminar to be held in Malta in 2006.
The Commission will also enquire the Maltese authorities on a new proposed development at Ta’ Cenc by the owners of the present Ta’ Cenc hotel.
Earmarked for intense tourist development, an environmental impact assessment commissioned by owner victor Borg has already been completed. A golf course EIA is also in the offing.
But Environment Minister George Pullicino is not commenting over the proposed development which cover over ten hectares – roughly 20 football pitches – of ecologically sensitive land.
Victor Borg plans to construct a new three-storey hotel, 57 new villas, 49 new bungalows and a professionally managed heritage park.
The area was also listed as a potential site for a golf course by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority back in October 2004. Both the Nationalist Party and Malta Labour Party leaders have officially supported the development of a golf course in Gozo.
mvella@mediatoday.com.mt
|
