Sannat council urged to safeguard Mgarr ix-Xini from villa development

Front Harsien ODZ has urged the Sannat local council to object to the proposed development of 15 villas that would overlook the picturesque Mgarr ix-Xini bay in Gozo. 

Speaking ahead of a meeting with Labour's counsellor section at the PL headquarters, Front spokesperson Michael Briguglio called on the Sannat council - which has a PL majority - to file an objection with MEPA against this latest revision to the Ta' Cenc project. 

"The project risks harming the environment and negatively impacting the village's beautiful scenery," he warned.

Mario Fava, head of the PL councillors section, said that local councils should take a stand against proposed projects that risk harming the environment. 

"We believe in creating a balance between sustainable development and the environment," he said, while not making any specific references to the Sannat proposal.

Journalists were not allowed to ask questions during the event.

Ahead of the meeting, Briguglio also reiterated his long-standing call on the Marsaskala local council – that also has a PL majority – to oppose the proposed construction of the ‘American University of Malta’ at Zonqor.

“The council has done well in opposing a proposal to construct an agro-tourism village in Munxar, but for consistency’s sake they should also oppose the take-up of land at Zonqor,” he said, while describing the controversial project as a ‘non-American non-university.

“The proposed development at Zonqor goes against the government’s new SPED (Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development) that clearly states that land outside development zones should only be considered for construction as a last resort,” he said. “Moreover, [MEPA chief executive] Johann Buttigieg said during a standing committee meeting that MEPA had identified alternative sites to Zonqor for the project.”

On his part, Fava focused on the need to upgrade road infrastructure to cater for more recent development.