Founder of VJ Borg Enterprise Limited and owner of Ta Cenc, Victor Borg, said that the referendum for the people of Sannat regarding the proposed Ta Cenc development is “a mistake”. In comments to The Malta Independent, Mr Borg explained that the area is visited by more outsiders than locals so it shouldn’t be up to Sannat residents to decide.
TMI reported yesterday that a ‘consultative referendum’ regarding the proposed development of a heritage park, multi-ownership hotel and 15 villas in Ta’ Cenc will take place this coming Saturday 18 June between 7am and 7pm at the Sannat Local Council office.
Mr Borg hit out at the Local Council for organising this referendum saying that it is unheard of considering “it is private land which belongs to owners who, instead of selling it off piece by piece, are proposing a Heritage Park out of love for Gozo.”
The businessman repeatedly insisted that he is a fair man and only wants a win-win situation for all involved. “I don’t want it to turn into a situation of every man for himself – which would mean that either the owner alone can enjoy it, or everyone else apart from the owner can.”
Mr Borg also said that his main motivation was to allow people to benefit from the Heritage Park free of charge, even organizing walking tours in shoulder months to attract more tourists and locals alike to the area. It should be noted that, unless at this newsroom’s insistence, only the Heritage park kept being mentioned despite plans for 15 villas and an extension to the Ta Cenc Hotel and Spa.
When asked directly of what the next move would be if the referendum results in a resounding ‘no’, Mr Borg answered that he has a number of options which he will weigh carefully, however nothing is set in stone. “I can say that if Sannat doesn’t want it, then I will just rent out 1,000 tomnas at €100 per tomna per year and get a comfortable €100,000 in my pocket every year,” Mr Borg said speaking hypothetically.
He concluded with an appeal for a ‘yes’ vote as Mr Borg feels that it would be a vote for everyone to enjoy the land, rather than only the owners. “I don’t want selective enjoyment,” said the landowner likening the scenario to a public playing field which only allows some people to play in it. “If the project happens, then everyone will be able to benefit from it for free.”
When asked if there are any projections of when the project can be completed if the referendum had to pass, Mr Borg said that the entire process has been ongoing for 20 years so he honestly has no idea; the same goes for costs.
The Ta’ Ċenċ saga has now been ongoing for around two decades, with various proposals being presented to then MEPA by the same developers ever since 1996 with the initial proposal of a golf course.
All the proposals since then have been met with harsh criticism; in fact, in 2006 a petition raised by Din l-Art Ħelwa against the proposed development at Ta' Ċenċ was signed by 10,000 people and tabled in Parliament by two MPS, one from the government side and one from the Opposition, both of whom had signed the petition.
Members of the public and environmental NGOs also continue to insist that the plans will lead to the destruction of the idyllic countryside. Especially bearing in mind that, as Mr Borg’s Ta Cenc Hotel and Spa’s website puts it, “Ta’ Cenc is one of 25,000 protected areas within the EU Member States, which essentially safe guards the vast array of endemic, and sometimes unique, species found in this lush natural region.”
Apart from the obvious environmental concerns, one must also keep in mind that the proposed 15 villas are on a 90,000 square metre ODZ patch of land near Imgarr ix-Xini, which actually marks a reduction from the 2007 proposal of 37 villas.
Sannat Referendum is a rushed process
Front Ħarsien ODZ said today that the sudden news that a referendum will be held in Sannat this Saturday raises suspicion about its legitimacy.
"In the democratic world, referendum dates are announced months in advance so as to enable proper debate. The Gozitan and Maltese public got to know about the Sannat referendum about development in Ta' Ċenċ only five days in advance through the press".
"Moreover, the issue to be discussed is being misrepresented. No mention is made of the fifteen villas that make up part of the project which Sannat residents are being consulted on."
Front Ħarsien ODZ once again invites the Labour-led council in Sannat to oppose the ODZ development.