Mepa has once again rejected, on appeal, a proposal for an extensive tourism complex at Ta’ Ċenċ, Gozo.

The application by hotel owner Victor Borg proposed project to extend the existing low-lying hotel into a fully-fledged complex including a number of additional villas had been recommended for refusal by the planning authority in 2007.

Mr Borg had filed an appeal contesting an interpretation of the relevant local plan in a letter sent to the authority by then environment minister George Pullicino, which had set the tone for refusal.

However, the Planning Appeals Board announced this afternoon that the appeal had been denied.

The policy affecting the area says that development should be limited to the "vicinity of the existing Ta' Cenc hotel" opening the door to interpretation over the word 'vicinity'.

The minister wrote to Mepa clarifying the ambiguity, and insisted that the local plans should not be taken “in any way” as allowing new development in the area of Ta' Ċenċ overlooking Mġarr ix-Xini.

The move effectively dealt a mortal blow to the most contentious part of the project, which involved the development of 57 villas in one of the more scenic areas of the site.

The development saga at Ta’ Ċenċ has been ongoing since 1996, with the plans going through numerous amendments since.

Residents and environmental groups have repeatedly and vocally objected to any development on the site, which they say will lead to the destruction of a scenic and environmentally sensitive rural area.