Ta' Ċenċ plans should be made public - BirdLife
BirdLife Malta yesterday slammed developer Victor Borg for hiding his new plans for the development of the ecologically sensitive Ta' Ċenċ area from the Maltese public.
Mr Borg, together with officials from Mepa, met the European Commission last May following a request made by Mr Borg's company to discuss fresh plans for Ta' Ċenċ.
However, when asked about the meeting by The Sunday Times, Mr Borg refused to explain what was discussed or give any insight into the new plans, BirdLife noted. Fresh development plans for the ecologically sensitive area were handed to EU officials for evaluation during the recent meeting in Brussels.
Mr Borg's proposed project includes the development of villas and farmhouses as well as the creation of a heritage park.
"Whilst we believe that Mr Borg has every right to consult third parties, including the Commission, about his development plans for Ta' Ċenċ, refusing to share his plans with the Maltese public is a clear indication that he intends to proceed with his plans for development in spite of public opposition.
"Because of his initial failure to forge ahead with his monstrous development in this ecologically sensitive area, Mr Borg's new strategy is to keep his movements hidden from the public so that he can later present a fait accompli," claimed Tolga Temuge, executive director of BirdLife Malta.
He recalled that in a letter sent to the director of Mepa on November 20, 2007, the developer had revealed his intention to amalgamate the existing hotel extension with a new proposed hotel in a way that makes them look as one.
Mr Temuge said the area where Mr Borg wants to build a new hotel, under the pretext of an extension, is subject to a pending infringement procedure opened against Malta by the European Commission due to insufficient Special Protection Area designation. BirdLife Malta, who revealed Mr Borg's letter to Mepa's director last year, had warned that no development should even be considered until the infringement procedure is completed and the outcome finalised.
Ta' Ċenċ was designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) for its internationally important breeding colonies of seabirds including the Yelkouan Shearwater, the largest breeding colony of Cory's Shearwater and the only colony of European Storm-petrels outside Filfla in the Maltese islands.
The Mepa case officer's report, which was sent to the developer on November 9, last year drew attention to these facts and stated that the proposed development is unacceptable in terms of EU regulations as it exposes such species to adverse impacts related to light and noise pollution and therefore the protection of these species would be at risk.
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Andrew Gatt
Jun 30th 2008, 13:19
No, Adrian.........but I strongly resent the arrogant attitude displayed by a mere handful of birdie activists who seem to think that, post-EU accession, they have the right to overturn derogations, dictate to owners of private land, and to generally agitate and exaggerate.
For instance. We all know what lies, exaggerations, misinformation and propaganda Birdlife used to temporarily ban spring hunting. So tell me, dear Adrian, where oh where are the gazillions of breeding birds? (apart from 2 coots that bred at Ghadira). Where are the turtle doves? Where are the quails? Where's the orgy of reproduction one would have expected? Imbasta dak l-ghageb kollu.
Meanwhile, I guess you will be printing "Stop Illegal Ta'Cenc Development" T-shirts", calling all your foreign friends for "Ta Cenc Watch 2008", smearing all and sundry on the Internet, harassing Mr Victor Borg on the land he owns, etc, etc. Typical tactics.
Peter Green
Jun 30th 2008, 11:53
Dr Gonzi who is paying to send Mepa officials to Brussels to assist Mr Borg? Is Mepa a serious organization defending the environment or a smoke screen to help developers changing amazingly beautiful ODZ areas into concrete jungles. Is this another Mistra?
I hope Dr Gonzi keeps his promises when it come to the environment especially when it comes to Gozo where he promised that he till turn Gozo into an eclogical island.
An ODZ should remain an ODZ as Dr Gonzi promised!
Adrian Cardona
Jun 30th 2008, 11:34
Ta' Ċenċ was designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA), so I suppose that Birdlife has every right to speak out. What are we supposed to do Mr.Gatt? Stay quiet and let everything go ahead under wraps? Anything wrong with trying to save what's left of the countryside?
And I think it was the Sunday Times who asked Victor Borg about his plans, not Birdlife.
Andrew Gatt
Jun 30th 2008, 10:42
Demand this demand that, stop this stop that, accuse here accuse there.......how predictable.
SInce when did we give Birdlife a mandate to run this country?
And, following the recent hysteria, what is Birdlife expecting? That Victor Borg copies them in on whatever he is doing?
Ohhh sorry............I forgot...........this must be part of the "Reclaim your Countryside" campaign..........hey, wait a minute!......wasn't that directed against those naughty hunters?