An application for the construction of an apartment block with underlying garages in Ta' Marġa Valley, Qala, was yesterday turned down by a planning authority board.

The application, submitted four years ago, raised concerns among the environmental lobby, which said it would affect the valley system.

During a hearing yesterday morning, Development Control Commission board chairman Elizabeth Ellul concluded that, although the proposed site was marginally inside an outside development zone, with most of it within the permitted boundary, the commission felt the development would have a negative impact on the environment.

Last year, the board had put off the case to consult the Malta Resources Authority because of a watercourse that ran along the valley and discharged rainwater from the highlands to the nearby coast.

An analysis drawn up by MRA hydrologist Manuel Sapiano could not rule out the possibility of the development affecting the flow of the water along the valley. Therefore, it suggested the application be refused.

In another report commissioned by the local council, hydrologist Marco Cremona said impeding the flow of water would have an impact on the yield of shallow wells lying downstream of the proposed site and affect farmers' storage capacity. He said this would also raise the risk of flooding in the valley.

A petition was presented to the DCC by farmers concerned about their livelihood.

Paul Buttigieg, who represented the Qala council at the hearing, expressed satisfaction at the board's decision. "The valley has been left in its natural state for thousands of years and any development there would be to the detriment of farmers downstream from the proposed site," he said.

Environmentalist Astrid Vella, from Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, also welcomed the decision. She said the shortage of freshwater was the island's most pressing problem and insisted development that affected natural water sources should continue to be rejected.

The application was submitted by Karistu Gauci.