Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, the environmental NGO, has raised the alarm over a development application for 98 bungalows on Mellieha Ridge as part of Mellieha Bay Hotel, saying that they would be a serious blow for Malta's natural environment.

It said the application "clearly violates Outside Development Zone (ODZ) regulations".

"The proposed project is located around the hotel but Outside the Development Zone, in a protected coastal zone of natural beauty, designated as a buffer zone to protect the coastal cliffs and an Area of Ecological Importance and Site of Scientific Importance. Furthermore, the area lies between two proposed Sites of Community Interest, as declared by Government Notice 112 of 2007, and is proposed as part of the Special Areas of Conservation, Sites of International Importance, and Special Protection Area, besides being scheduled. The site is mainly made up of protected garigue and also includes protected trees," the FAA said.

"A project of these dimensions should not be considered before a holistic study (SEA) is carried out to assess the tourism needs for this type of accommodation and if such a need is required, where it can best be located in order to avoid the destruction of the Mellieha headland. This especially in the light of the fact that the granting of a permit for these 98 units will invariably lead to further development all along this coast."

It urged the Prime Minister, as minister responsible for Mepa, to move legislation so that applications which violate ODZ regulations and are clearly inappropriate for the countryside could be immediately dismissed, saving Mepa time and money.