The valley which is commonly known as Il-Wied ta’ Ghajn Zejtuna, which is located within the Santa Marija Estate in Mellieha, has been scheduled by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) and added to the growing list of natural scheduled sites as the Authority continues protecting Malta’s biodiversity and natural heritage.

Although the valley formed part of a much wider system, the valley-bed still sustains a permanent and constant flow of freshwater. The freshwater spring flows from the Mellieha perched groundwater body at the interface between the Upper Coralline Limestone Formation (Mtarfa Member) and the Blue Clay formation.

Apart from its ecological importance, the valley imparts a significant degree of aesthetic value, and has an important containment role to play, which is primarily to avoid the coalescence of the villa development, a role that should be preserved to safeguard both the intrinsic visual aspect and the hydrodynamic function of the valley-bed.

Part of the valley supports a semi-natural woodland consisting of mature Aleppo pines (Pinus halepensis) has also been scheduled. This semi-natural woodland merits protection not only as part of the whole valley, but for their distinctive ecological importance both in terms of watershed protection and intrinsic values.

The watercourse and immediate banks flows onto the coastal platform, beneath Ix-Xatt ta’ Santa Marija, the latter supporting a small maritime garigue assemblage and a shingle beach. The coastal platform and the vegetation community it supports are scheduled as a Level two degree of protection (AEI), in line with Structure Plan policy RCO (9).

A spokesperson on behalf of Mepa said “although the site is located within the development zone, physical development shall be limited to the maintenance of existing structures that are already covered by a development permit. Furthermore, proposals for bungalow development adjacent to the scheduled area will need to include a block plan showing the delineation of the rear property wall aligned with the scheduling boundary, and the scheduled part of the site retained in its natural setting.”

The Authority stated that it remains committed to implementing sustainable development principles and practices for it to pass on the natural and cultural heritage to future generations.