Two non-governmental organisations welcomed the announcement of the Malta Environment Planning Authority to propose the Ta' Cenc cliffs, in Gozo, for Natura 2000 protection.

At the same time, Alternattiva Demokratika complained that a trip to visit the archaeological remains in the area had to be cancelled as the Ta' Cenc owner cancelled permission for the visit.

Din l-Art Helwa and Nature Trust issued a joint statement and said this should partly rectify the anomaly as to why the area was omitted in the first place.

Natura 2000 status will ensure at least part of the area will be given further protection by obliging the government to take active steps to protect and conserve the designated areas.

"This declaration is positive, and definitely a step in the right direction. Since the designated area only extends along part of the cliff, albeit perhaps the most sensitive area for the birds' nesting there, it is augured that further steps will be taken to protect this ecological and environmentally sensitive area which is also of significant archaeological value," the NGOs said.

Further information as to how the area will be managed and the extent of the activities permitted in the surrounding areas also had to be determined.

More than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for Ta' Cenc to be saved. This petition will shortly be presented by Din l-Art Helwa.

"The message must be made clear that land outside the development zones must not be used as an excuse for low-cost real estate developments. On the contrary, protecting the countryside will also limit further damage to Malta's tourism product, which has suffered so badly from unbridled construction since the 1960s."

In a separate statement, AD Gozo spokesman Victor Galea said that the cancellation of a bona fide field trip at Ta' Cenc due to the owner's refusal to allow participants to visit archaeological remains and the areas of natural heritage, was inconceivable.

The organisers of Festival Mediterranea planned to organise a field trip to Ta' Cenc led by Dr David Trump on Thursday, November 2. However, a note had to be issued by the organising members informing those who were already committed to participate in this event that "the owners of Ta' Cenc cancelled the permission for a field trip in their property. So, we have had no other option but to cancel this trip. We will obviously reimburse you but, unfortunately, this is the situation."

"It is clear that Ta' Cenc should be given National Park status immediately and access conditions made clear to the owners", Mr Galea said.

AD chairman Harry Vassallo said bona fide visitors were easily turned away by the owner's blunt refusal because they cannot all be expected to defend their rights forcibly.

"The paralysis of Government on this issue is a measure of its hypocrisy in claiming that the environment is its third policy pillar. It has provided no effective remedy for the constant erosion of citizens' rights to access their natural and heritage assets. It is also absurd to talk of rural development and an enhancement of niche tourism in Gozo under such conditions," Dr Vassallo said.