A total of 291 residents living close to Pender Place yesterday filed yet another judicial protest in the First Hall of the Civil Court against Edmund Gatt Baldacchino and Pender Ville Limited, the developers of the controversial Pender Place project.

The residents called on the developer to stop excavation works until a decision on the appeal they filed relating to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) permit is handed down.

The residents explained that the proposed project will adversely affect them and their families as well as the value of the property they own. They said that they are listed as registered objectors to the proposed project and have filed an appeal with regard to the recently-issued outline development permit.

In their judicial protest, the residents referred to a judicial letter filed in court a few days ago by Labour MP Joe Brincat, who is also a Mepa board member.

Dr Brincat claimed that the permitted development at Pender Place and Fort Cambridge went against the conditions of the issued tender and was therefore in breach of the Disposal of Government Land Act.

The residents said that although there is a pending appeal, the developer still called a press conference with details of the project on 13 March in which he said that the development would start immediately.

They therefore called on the developer to stop the works until a decision on the appeal is handed down.

The protest was signed by Prof. Ian Refalo, Dr Mark Refalo and LP Edgar Montanaro.