The Planning and Environment Review Tribunal has rejected an appeal against a permit issued by Mepa for the building of 24 apartments and garages on the side of Wied il-Ghasel, Mosta and building can therefore continue.

The appeal was filed by environment NGOs who argued that the original granting of the permit violated regulations protecting valleys from development. This site was included in the development zone map of the Local Plans, but is designated as a listed Ecological Conservation Site CG 22 in the Mosta Constraints map. 

The development was objected to by Nature Trust Malta and contested by Ħarsien Patrimonju Mosti, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar and Ramblers Association, Malta.

HPM had organised and recently presented a petition with 24,000 signatures against the project.

Nature Trust said they will be studying the rejection report to see whether they could fight the case in the Court of Appeal.

Speaking on behalf of the non-governmental organisations, Carmel Cacopardo said the groups suspected there had been a wrong interpretation on the protection line of the valley since part of this development jutted out onto the protected part.

Harsien Patrimonju Mosti and Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar said similar development applications on the opposite side had been refused.

They noted that it did not make sense that these permits for flats had been issued on an outline permit for a home for the elderly.