AD chairperson Dr Harry Vassallo welcomed the fact that the Directorate of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority has recommended a refusal of this development. The decision is expected tomorrow.

“The recommendation of Mepa’s experts is a confirmation of the validity of the arguments raised by a vast segment of Maltese civil society. These included solid arguments on the impact of this development on the country’s water supply and the social impact on the livelihood of the farmers in the area.

“It should heed the common sense objections raised by Maltese environmental NGOs, the Church’s commission on the environment and the Rabat Local Council. The Mepa board cannot take a decision which contradicts the Structure Plan that clearly states golf courses should not be developed on agricultural land.”

Dr Vassallo expressed doubts on the legality of this development and warned that the development of a golf course in Verdala would go against the spirit of the Church-State agreement.

“It would also sanction the transfer of public land presently worked by farmers to a third party for purely commercial reasons.

“It is clear that the developers have not substantiated their arguments that this development will benefit the country’s economy. It is more than clear that in this case the social and environmental costs outweigh any other considerations,” concluded Dr Vassallo.