Ta Cenc: For and against (1)

In a letter from the prospective developer of Ta' Cenc (A Paradise To Be Enjoyed, August 30) a number of misjudgements of the situation arise.

With respect to Victor Borg's offer to "protect the flora and fauna" at Ta' Cenc these are already protected accordingly under Maltese law.

Additionally, under the Natura 2000 network, the public now awaits this protection to be enhanced, since the area was on the orginal list of candidate sites proposed to the EU to form part of the Europe-wide Emerald Network. Management of such a Nature Park would be required to come about in any case, with or without Mr Borg.

To take another example, Xaghra il-Hamra is not dependent on any nearby development for its full protection so why should Ta' Cenc be thought to be any different?

Mr Borg labours under the grave misconception that the public's right to enjoy the open countryside at Ta' Cenc is somehow negotiable. His notion, that he is in any sort of position to imply he is forfeiting an imagined right to block public access, is mistaken.

Fencing off, or in any other way denying access, to the Ta' Cenc green (grey and golden) open spaces where people have always enjoyed the natural surroundings is unthinkable.

Increasing the density of a handful or two of existing villas over-looking Mgarr ix-Xini is not acceptable. If this exercise goes ahead it will resemble too closely an ongoing repetition of last years "rationalisation" blitz, during which we had been promised that it was the last surge before development outside the zone (ODZ) was finally sealed.

It was admirable of Mr Borg to shoo away the hunters occupying the land and annoying his guests. If only other hotel owners were to follow his fine example we would have a more peaceful and attractive countryside for all to enjoy.

Still, the public owes nothing to anyone and will not be bought off by mere reassurances that the construction stage will cause the least inconvenience possible.

Perhaps Mepa should be final from the start about what types of rural development may be permitted in ODZ areas and what can no longer be tolerated. The answer is very clear. Under no circumstances must any expansion of existing footprint take place at Ta' Cenc.

So by all means redevelop the existing hotel and refurbish existing buildings but please do not allow the rest to be touched. It belongs to all of us and is part of our heritage which is not a gift from Mr Borg, but from God.