The whole area of Ta’ Cenc is teaming with archaeological artifacts such as the Dolmens on the Gruwa ridge, the cart-ruts on the cliffs and criss-crossing the whole area, the temple and monoliths, most of which have not yet been fully excavated .

Not to mention the unique plants – such as the new found Ta’ Cenc fern, that are only found there. The area is full of wildlife. You also find water pool shrimps there.

The whole area is covered with protected plant species like the Maltese Wild Thyme.

Is the government ready to bend the rules for a few, and destroy this endemic and rare protected species? They talk about replanting. Imagine replanting all the big wild thyme bushes to other places. It sounds like a sure recipe for disaster.

Sannat local council, in partnership with another council, sponsored the Heritage Superintendence for a dig at Mgarr ix-Xini. Roman artifacts were found which relate to the rock troughs found both on the Ta’ Cenc and Xewkija cliff sides. In terms of archaeology, the whole area needs to be protected so in time future generations can have a whole picture of what our ancestors managed to realise.

Destroying one part of Ta’ Cenc could destroy the keystone for finding out why our ancestors did what they did.

It is imperative that the government legally declares the whole of Ta’ Cenc as a Special Area of Conservation for current and future generations. Failing to do so, or simply relying on a case officer’s recommendation for refusal, will be one of the black events that happen before the next legislation. Gozitans are not going to be cheated this time.

John Michael Mizzi

AD Councillor

Sannat