The residents of Sta Marija Wstate have welcomed a Mepa board decision turning down an application for the development of 13 dwellings over seven plots in the lower part f Wied Ghajn Zejtuna.

The Ghaqda tar-Residenti ta’ Santa Marija Estate had been campaigning against the planning development, arguing that it went against planning rules and would harm the environment.

!The Ghaqda tar-Residenti ta’ Santa Marija Estate welcomes and appreciates the verdict reached by the MEPA Board and congratulates it on its decision to recognise and safeguard the significant ecological heritage of this valley. We augur that this is not a flash in the pan but a strong signal that the new Mepa Board intends to apply sound and consistent environmental principles in assessing the validity of development applications, the residents said.

" This application constituted a direct menace to the integrity of the valley. There are other threats that need to be seriously and urgently addressed. However, we do rejoice in the victory of sound and sensitive reasoning over that of cold cynical exploitative logic.

"The Ghaqda tar-Residenti ta’ Santa Marija Estate, has launched a Regeneration Plan for Wied Ghajn Zejtuna which has been endorsed by the Mepa Planning and Environmental Directorates, The Valley Management Unit at MRRA, Cenmed Ltd, and The Mellieha Local Council, all of whom are represented on the Management Committee. This verdict offers scope for this Management Committee to formulate a concrete programme of action to rehabilitate the valley and transform it into a veritable ecological oasis."