The proposed residence that lies outside the development zone, on the valley-side of Wied Għomor, on the outskirts of San Ġwann, was refused by the Planning Authority on Monday.

The application was for minor alterations to a pre-1978 building to be turned into a small residence. The Case Officer for the application had rejected the alterations and, as such, had noted that the "proposal cannot be favourably recommended".

Aside from the recommendation for refusal by the case officer, a number of objections had been filed by several NGOs, such as Nature Trust and Wirt San Gwann, residents and also the San Gwann Local Council. 

Environmentalist Michael Briguglio, who has long campaigned for the preservation of the valley, celebrated the news on Twitter, saying that their perseverance had saved the valley from more development and protected the countryside.