A request to build a quarry in Wied Moqbol, Żurrieq, next to a protected nature site, has been rejected by the planning authority appeals' board.
The request for a full development permit, filed in 2005, had been recommended for acceptance by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority's planning directorate.
But the Mepa board turned it down on the ground that under planning policies, no permits for quarries were to be issued for the time being.
The developer took the case before the Development Control Commission but it was refused again.
He then filed an appeal.
A number of environmental organisations had opposed the proposed development in the special area of conservation.