Sannat local council still to discuss Ta’ Cenc villa plans

The Labour-led Sannat Council will be taking a position on the proposed development of 15 villas overlooking Mgarr ix-Xini and a major extension to the Ta’ Cenc hotel after a public meeting to be organised by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority at the council on 22 February.

“We would prefer to listen to what is being proposed during the meeting organised by MEPA in which the details of the development will be announced,” Sannat mayor Philip Vella told MaltaToday.

Ta’ Cenc will be on the council’s agenda at a meeting before the public hearing but Vella said he preferred to take a stance after consulting with residents. “We have to see what the residents think before taking a position. Our role is to be a voice of the citizens and therefore we have to see what they think.”

The latest plans propose 15 new villas built over 90,000 square metres, overlooking the picturesque and protected Mgarr ix-Xini, and a hotel extension in the vicinity of the existing hotel, which are being proposed in the latest revision to the Ta’ Cenc project. The latest proposal represents a reduction from the 36 villas proposed in 2007, which were deemed unacceptable by the MEPA. 

The villas were ruled out by the previous government, which interpreted the local plan as meaning that no villas can be constructed at Mgarr ix-Xini.

The extension to Hotel Ta’ Cenc will be designed to provide luxury suites and a presidential suite for up-market clients. The extension will consist of 118 new guest rooms, including 21 trullo suites and 37 regular suites and a new pool and spa.