The NGO said the villa and the large garden are intrinsically connected and should not be separated for the sake of speculation.

Villa Curmi dates back to the late 18th century. One of the prominent members of the family that lived in this house was Dr Paolo Curmi, who was a mayor in the early 19th century.

His daughter was Guzeppina Curmi, the founder of the Sisters of Jesus of Nazzareth, who have a large convent in Zejtun.

Its characteristic features of a famous house of those times include the façade, the two large front rooms with artistic painted ceilings, the large back garden reached through a large beautifully designed doorway and the small belvedere located at the end of the garden reached via a central passage.

Additionally, Villa Curmi with its large garden is situated in a historic part of Zejtun’s core, cut across by Saint Angelo Street, where the historic building lies.

The historical connections of the street include the Church of Saint Angelo, the Aeles Danielis Palace, the Chapel of Mater Boni Consigli, the house of the Gerada family, the present building which houses Zejtun local council, the House of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, the Primary School of the village and the old terminus linking Zejtun to the Dockyards.

Nature Trust Malta joined Zejtun council, Din l-Art Helwa and Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna in urging the Malta Environmental and Planning Authority to refuse the proposed development.