Following the recent debate on the controversial proposal for a mega development in Hondoq ir-Rummien, the public can start getting ready for a debate on yet another controversial project for Ta’ Cenc, one of Malta’s last remaining unspoilt, natural habitats.

On Thursday, the developers will be holding an information meeting that will include a “presentation of the latest plans submitted to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa)”, according to an email written by architect Martin Xuereb.

The email reads: “As part of our commitment to keep all those who are directly interested, or have shown interest, in the Ta’ Cenc Project, we shall be holding an informative meeting on Thursday 10 June at 5.30pm at Palazzo Palina, Sannat, Gozo… a Mepa representative will also be present, in order to keep a record of the meeting and to collect feedback and comments”.

The proposed project’s developer, Victor J. Borg, on behalf of Real Finanz A.G. had first submitted an application in October 1996 to develop the Ta’ Cenc area into “Malta’s first heritage park and multi-ownership tourist hotel development” – a proposal that Alternattiva Demokratika (AD), environment NGOs and nature lovers heavily criticised.

They argued over the limited access that the public would have to the cliff area, the seashore, the cart ruts and the dolmens.

Ta’ Cenc was designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) for its internationally important breeding colonies of seabirds.

This includes the largest breeding colony of Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea in the Maltese islands (with 800-1,000 pairs), 150-300 pairs of Yelkouan Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan and the only colony of European Storm-petrels Hydrobates pelagicus outside of Filfla in the Maltese islands.

The site also holds important breeding populations of nationally scarce and declining species including Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicilata, Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra and Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla.

Although Mepa had extended the habitat protection to the whole Ta’ Cenc area, giving the plateau the status of Special Area of Conservation, it is yet to be seen whether fresh plans for some form of development in the area may be given the green light anyway.

The European Parliament’s petitions committee had been presented with two petitions, one by Din l-Art Helwa, on behalf of 10,000 petitioners, and one by Alternattiva Demokratika (AD), both of which made a plea for the preservation of Ta’ Cenc.