Call to confirm Verdala golf course project ruling

Alternattiva Demokratika has called on the appeals board of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to confirm the board's decision on the Verdala golf course.

"The Mepa board's decision to reject the application for the development of a golf course in Verdala was based on a number of technical and scientific reports. The conclusions of these reports highlighted the agricultural and scientific importance of this area and the limitations of our water resources," spokesman Mark Causon said.

Last September, the Mepa board unanimously shot down Angelo Xuereb's plans to construct a golf course near Rabat.

Mr Causon said that Mepa's recently-published report on golf course sites specifically ruled out the choice of an inland location due to unacceptable pollution risk to the aquifer, which supplies half the island's drinking water. The board of appeal should also consider the broad consensus within civil society against the development of a golf course on agricultural land.

Through its decision on the Verdala golf course, Mepa has gained "greater legitimacy" in Maltese society as it has shown that it is capable of putting the environment and interests of society before speculative interests, Mr Causon said.