The owners of a ground floor maisonette in Lija are holding developers of the controversial project neighbouring the town's iconic Belvedere liable for the damages they had suffered as a result of demolition works.

The development, a block of eight flats and penthouse on four floors, complete with underlying garages, located not more than 20 metres away from the Belvedere, had been approved in September last year to the dismay of residents and the local council.

The controversy had even pulled in Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera who had been given power of attorney by the developers to inquire about why a warden had stopped works on the site last September.

Shortly after that incident, Mepa reversed the decision it had taken last year, after the villa - which the block was meant to have replaced - was demolished. Mepa revoked the permit against warnings that the developers would be seeking compensation.

Yesterday, however, it was the developers' turn to face damage claims by the neighbours, John and Carmen Cuschieri, who said the couple behind the project, Carmelo Galea and his wife Rita, carried out works on site that damaged their property.

As a result, the overlying property to the Cuschieris' had no ceiling, and Mr and Mrs Cuschieri told the court that they were suffering water seepage every time it rained.

Before the works started, the Cuschieris had asked an architect to examine their home and he had concluded that the maisonette was in a very good state. But now, as a result of the works which were stalled after an enforcement notice, the property's roof was being damaged.

Lawyer Antoine Naudi signed the protest.