AD’s spokesman for the environment Mark Causon praised the DCC’s decision: “Such development makes sense in an industrial area and not in a green area. We are sure that there are better sites for the construction of an inorganic waste separation plant instead of this valley which supports agricultural land in Santa Lucia, Tarxien, Luqa, Ghaxaq and Gudja. It does not make sense that Mepa is even considering the construction of structures outside development zones. AD has always supported the front set up to defend the valley.

“This is an important victory for civil society. As happened in the case of the infamous Mnajdra landfill, the unity shown by local councils, committed individuals and non-government organisations has been decisive. In the coming weeks Mepa will decide on another important issue in which civil society has also been involved ie the decision on the Verdala Golf Course.

“The Front Kontra l-Golf Kors is the largest coalition of civil society organisations in recent Maltese history. It has been supported in its cause by the church’s commission on the environment and by Rabat local council. We augur another victory for civil society for social justice and sustainable development,” Mr Causon concluded.