The Malta Environment and Planning Authority's refusal to sanction a number of extensions to boathouses in Dwejra has been described by five environmental organisations as "an encouraging sign".

"We hope that Mepa will now live up to the promised reform - that of giving a higher priority to environmental concerns and issues as well as bringing about a change in attitude," Birdlife Malta, Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth, Nature Trust and the Ramblers Association said in a joint statement.

Last Thursday, Mepa turned down 13 out of 17 sanctioning applications for boathouses and put off the other four, with chairman Austin Walker warning that the authority was not willing to allow any illegal development.

The five organisations said the outcome confirmed that Mepa's decisions should be based on regulations and not on the presence or absence of objectors.

They expressed hope that momentum would be maintained so that civil society could start regaining faith in the authority. They said the decision "marks a great day" and reflected well on the government's project to convert Gozo into an eco-island.