The planning board put on hold a request to build a boundary wall, which would partially block the view off a Nadur belvedere, pending legal advice.

The contentious application to build a 1.4 metre wall to protect a property was filed by Andrew Vella and his family, owners of a field below the belvedere in David Cocco Palmeri Street and Mġarr Road.

During a board hearing yesterday, the Nadur council and Nationalist MP Chris Said, who was mayor in 2004 when the belvedere was built, strongly opposed the request.

Allowing the Vellas to build the wall would not only ruin the popular tourist attraction and its view of the valley but would pave the way for other property owners to build walls to protect their property, the objectors argued.

A similar application had been filed to build a boundary wall on an adjacent property, the board was informed. The area is classified as a green area.

Lawyer Ian Stafrace, speaking on behalf of the Vellas, said his clients had a court judgment in their favour, giving them the go-ahead to build the boundary wall to “safeguard their third party rights”.

Allowing the Vellas to build the wall would not only ruin the popular tourist attraction and its view of the valley but would pave the way for other property owners to build walls to protect their property

He pointed out that his clients’ property had been expropriated but they managed to win it back after a legal battle.

Dr Said and Dr Stafrace engaged in heavy legal arguments.

At one point board chairman Vince Cassar said he was confused as to whether the authority had its hands tied or not, especially in light of the court judgment.

He suggested suspending the decision to take legal advice.

Just before the meeting had started, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil posted a tweet about the hearing: “Today Mepa will allow the bldg [building] of a wall blocking this view to help @JosephMuscat_JM pay 4 his political obligations”.