A committee made up of Santa Marija Estate residents in Mellieha filed a protest in the first hall of the civil court, after a proprietor who was given permission by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) to build six bungalows is instead in the process of constructing 12 residential homes. The protestors complained that this excessive construction will leave negative effects on the environment and the surrounding landscapes.

The protest was filed against the Central Mediterranean Development Company Limited, MEPA and Oliver Osthus, with protestors claiming that they are ready to file legal action if the MEPA does not abide by its own policies.

The residents complained that when permission was granted for the development of the six bungalows to begin, there was an agreement which stated that the height of the buildings was to be similar to other buildings in the same area, and that the surrounding area and landscapes would not be damaged.

The Santa Marija Estate residents also said that the MEPA had gone against its first original policy of constructing buildings of standard height and that preference was first given to semi-detached bungalows each consisting of a maximum one tumuli of land. However, later on, the MEPA granted the approval of 12 units for each plot, which will have a negative effect, both visible and tangible, on the valley in Santa Marija Estate.

The protest was signed by lawyer Patrick Galea.