The Qala local council said its position on the controversial Ħondoq ir-Rummien project had remained unchanged for the past 11 years – it was still against it.

The project could not be justified as one benefiting the community

In a statement, the council said the unsustainable project could not be justified as “one benefiting the community and common good of the locality”.

This position was also reflected in the locality after 85 per cent of Qala residents voted against the project in a 2002 referendum.

The council’s statement comes as a decision on the project is expected to be taken today by the Malta Environment and Plan-ning Authority.

The developers had submitted a fresh set of plans to replace the planned yacht marina with a swimming lagoon.

The planning authority had refused to accept the updated plans and said these had to be submitted through a new application, prompting an appeal from the developers of the €120 million project.

The project to build a five-star hotel, 285 flats and villas, 731 underground parking spaces, 10 shops and five restaurants had been slammed by Mepa’s environment unit, several environmental groups and the Church’s Environment Commission.