(Adds MEPA reaction, MLP comment and AD correction)

Alternattiva Demokratika has urged MEPA to turn down an appeal lodged by the developers who are hoping to build villas overlooking Ramla l-Hamra, which is scheduled for public hearing tomorrow.

During a visit and a press conference on the site where development is being proposed, Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika chairman, said the Maltese government had assured the European Commission that the project had been rejected.

"It should therefore stick to this promise".

Victor Galea, AD secretary general and spokesman for Gozo, said that if the Maltese government really cared about Gozo as an eco-island it certainly could not even think of developing the area for tourist purposes and allowing the building of villas and swimming pools near Ramla l-Hamra.

In a reaction MEPA said the application for the re-development of the former Ulysses Lodge in Ramla l-Hamra will not appear before the MEPA Board but before the Planning Appeals Board, which is completely autonomous and independent of the Authority.

"Consequently Mepa cannot turn down any such appeal as urged by Alternattiva Demokratika but is defending its own decision before this independent board."

In a statement issued in the evening AD said it had no problem admitting it had been mistaken in saying the project was to be considered by Mepa since it was to be decided by the Planning Appeals Board. Its arguments, it said, remained valid.

The Labour Party in the afternoon called on the government to declare its position on the project again now that a final decision had to be taken on the project by the board of appeal.