When the hubbub and outrageous behaviour at Mepa quietened down on Thursday, after the approval of the Marsascala waste facility, and no one remained in the area reserved for the public, the last tassels of an application which will see a former pig farm and farmhouse become Malta’s newest tourist attraction.

The Mepa board unanimously approved the last permits for a winery with adjacent vineyards and a major tourism attraction at the Monte Kristo Winery and Vineyards at Hal Farrug, next to the airport perimeter road.

In reality, the permit had almost been issued previously but the board did not agree with the baroque design of the vinery as it felt that a Maltese vernacular would have been more adequate.

Architect Mannie Galea for developer Charles Polidano explained to the board the changes effected in the design and then showed the board a series of photos from Italy and France showing new wineries which are on the baroque style.

Then, more controversially, he showed a series of photos of other buildings in Malta which have been permitted – Villa Maria, a cottage now used for weddings, the classic Law Courts in Valletta, the Cottonera modern building next to St Angelo, Palazzo Promontorio which is on the neo-classical style and very visible too.

Still, one elderly board member was not satisfied and he in fact voted against the design of the building, but he then joined the others in approving the final plan.

The board had also unanimously approved the re-siting of the Ta Natu Petrol Station in Floriana to Luqa Road, Qormi.