The Environment and Planning Review Tribunal on Tuesday will hold its last hearing before deciding whether or not to overturn a Planning Commission decision to refuse a development permit for a 100-unit development, a catering establishment and a road from San Gwann through Wied Għomor to Victoria Gardens.

The site of the proposed development lies partly in a disused quarry which is slowly being reclaimed by nature and partly in Wied Għomor's protected green area, Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar said. The site is surrounded by terraced fields and rubble walls, providing a rare unobstructed agricultural landscape in the built-up areas of San Ġwann, St Julian's and Swieqi.

"As the only open green space in this urbanized region, Wied Għomor is being regularly targeted by developers with numerous applications for development being sought in spite of its protected status. The planning policies concerning Wied Għomor specifically call for the regeneration of its degraded areas and state that any development or activity that would jeopardise the protected status or the conservation of the valley will not be permitted, the environment NGO pointed out.

Environment Minister Jose Herrera had even applied for the designation of Wied Għomor as a public domain zone - to be preserved for posterity and for future generations.

FAA recalled that ENGOs, residents as well as the local councils of Swieqi, San Ġwann and St Julian's had welcomed the original refusal which had given hope of some respite from the development blitz.

It called on the authorities to uphold the Planning Authority's original decision and to take heed of the policies calling for Wied Għomor's protection to ensure that this last remaining green lung was not compromised beyond hope.