The planning authority yesterday turned down a development application by Charles Polidano to construct 40 apartments in the old centre of Balzan.
The Mepa board's decision was in line with the planning directorate's recommendation not to give the project the go-ahead. All the board members voted against the project with the exception of Roderick Galdes, Labour's planning spokesman, who is also the party's nominee on the board.
The project, which dates back to 2005, involved the construction of 43 apartments and an underground parking area in Main Street, Balzan, which is scheduled as an urban conservation area.
The site is made up of two traditional, typical two-storey houses with a large back garden. In the garden is a large water cistern that was converted into a shelter.
The planning directorate had noted that the development clashed with the policy and design guidelines for development within an urban conservation area, which are meant to protect and enhance existing gardens. The case was then referred to the development commission board, which took up the recommendation and refused the application but still referred it again to the directorate for some revisions.
Mr Polidano submitted fresh plans, which he then presented to the directorate.
The board yesterday heard that, despite improvements, the project was still not in line with the local plans. In fact, the board refused the project as it felt it would contribute towards overdevelopment within Balzan's open spaces and compromise the character and heritage of the urban conservation area of this traditional village.
The board also approved an extension of 102 rooms at the Ramla Bay Hotel, in Marfa. The project includes a new wing, two new tennis courts, the extension of a gym and landscaping.
A decision on the full development application had to be taken two weeks ago but one hour before the board meeting it was noted that the planning directorate had forgotten to put the application through a screening process to determine whether an environmental impact report was needed.
Board chairman Austin Walker apologised to the developers for the oversight and promised them to give them an answer within a week. Last week, the planning authority informed the developers that there was no need for an environmental impact report. The board imposed a condition for the contribution fees in the environment fund to be used in the hotel's vicinity.
Although the site was in an outside development zone, it fell within the goals and objectives of the Structure Plan and draft Marfa Action Plan with regard to tourism, the directorate said.