There was nothing sustainable about the proposed building of 15 villas in an ODZ near the coast at Ta' Cenc, a public meeting hosted by Mepa heard today.
Din l-Art Helwa president Maria Grazia Cassar told the environmental impact statement meeting in Sannat, Gozo, that the proposal for 15 villas was not in keeping with the sustainable development the area deserved.
The meeting, held at the Sannat Local Council, was held to give details of the environmental impact the proposed villas and extension to the existing Ta Cenc Hotel would have on the Natura 2000 site.
Architect Paul Gauci told the meeting that the proposed project was a scaling down from the 36 villas and large multi-storey hotel extension, previously proposed.
"Back in 1967 the idea was for the entire area to be developed into villas similar to Santa Marija Estate in Mellieha," Mr Gauci said.
Back in 2006 a petition by Din l-Art Helwa against proposed development had gathered some 10,000 signatures.
Ta' Cenc is an area of high landscape value and of high ecological sensitivity, and is included in the EU Natura 2000 network of protected areas.It is also listed as a special protection area under the EU's Birds Directive.
Mr Gauci told the meeting that the entire plateau, near Mgarr ix Xini, was also designated a bird sanctuary, including the area already occupied by the hotel. The hotel extension, however, had been pushed back from the cliffs where protected sea birds are known to nest. The area earmarked for villas was not believed to be frequented by the birds.
Birdlife Malta conservation manager Nicholas Barbara told the meeting that light pollution and land vibrations during construction works could have serious impact on the birds' nesting practices. Frequent use of the villas would also likely have an effect on the birds. Responding, Mr Gauci said the impact assessment also highlighted the need for light and noise pollution mitigation measures to be employed for the project.
Ms Cassar, on the other hand raised concerns that the impact assessment put forward drew from the defunct Structural Plan which has been replaced by the authority's new Strategic Plan for Environment and Development. The proposal she said went against many of the conservation measures put forward in SPED.
The photomontages presented, she added, did not justify the impact of the project and we're not even in line with new requirements
While residents from the area attended the meeting, no concerns or comments were raised by them.
Authority chairman Vince Cassar attended the meeting, but said the decision whether to give the project the thumbs would will be made by the planning authority board and it was too early to discuss this.