On behalf of the movement, spokesman Mike Briguglio said: “We welcome the fact that the Mepa board stood by the structure plan and the recommendations of the Planning Directorate.

“We are also pleased that the plight of the farming community and opinions of various civil society organisations were taken heed of by Mepa. The Verdala farmers can finally look to the future in peace – something that they have been robbed of for the past 10 years, due to the golf course threat,” he said.

“As a founding organisation of the Front Kontra l-Golf Kors, which was set up in 1997, Moviment Graffitti is pleased that its activism on behalf of social justice, environmental protection, sustainable development and agriculture has emerged victorious,” he said. “The Mepa decision shows that civil society has a role to play in the defence of Malta’s environment. Moviment Graffitti will keep up its activism in this regard.”

Mr Briguglio said the movement appealed to the Mepa board to take similar stances in favour of the environment when deciding on future proposals.