An appeal hearing contesting Mepa's refusal to accept new plans for the controversial Ħondoq Ir-Rummien project was today put off to October after a short hearing.

The change of date revolves around a legal issue created by a fresh set of plans submitted by the developers, who are proposing to replace the planned yacht marina with a swimming lagoon.

During today’s hearing, the Planning Appeals Board gave the developers until June 30 to send a letter to the objectors, listing their new plans and the basis of their appeal.

The 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.

Qala councillor Paul Buttigieg, a registered objector, said the new plans even included the demolition of the distillation plant in the area.

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 and several environmental groups.

The environmental groups are calling for the Ħondoq area to be converted into a national park, run by the council, and rehabilitated into an open space for everyone as originally earmarked in the area's local plans.

An online petition urging the planning authority to turn down the project has attracted more than 4,000 signatures. The petition can be found on: http://raxerri.com/soshondoq .