The Mepa board has rejected an application to develop the Villa Bonici gardens in Sliema.
Developers had proposed building nearly 200 apartments in four blocks, the highest being 12 storeys high.
The case officer had recommended refusal on the basis that a development brief had not been completed. He had also warned that the development would mean the elimination of the villa gardens.
Objections had also been filed by environment NGOs and Sliema Residents’ Association.
The board this afternoon directed the case officer to coordinate the drawing up of the development brief with the developers.