Save Ta' Cenc - Nature Trust

Nature Trust (Malta) has added its voice to calls for the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and the government to prevent the proposed Ta' Cenc project from taking place.

The NGO said it welcomed the government's statement that the recently approved Gozo Local Plan should be interpreted as not allowing any new development in the lower part of the plateau near Mgarr ix-Xini. This, it said, would "on paper" halt the development of 57 bungalows there.

Nature Trust urged Mepa to introduce wording in the Local Plan to bring it in line with the Structure Plan and remove the need for policy clarifications from future administrations.

The group also urged the government and Mepa to declare the whole Ta' Cenc area a Natura 2000 site, saying its garigue is one of the most pristine in the islands.

"Ta' Cenc is a site of ecological, historical, geological, archeological and geomorphological importance," it said.