A court has upheld an injunction filed by Archbishop Charles Scicluna to stop the Carmelite Order from giving up priory grounds in Balluta for commercial development.

The Carmelite Order entered into a 50-year lease agreement with developer John Cilia in 2011 for the development of the gardens into a supermarket. Back then, the Order’s prior was Fr Anthony Cilia, the developer’s brother.

Mr Justice Giannino Caruana Demajo upheld the injunction, on the basis that the Church is an interested party.

The Archbishop and the current leadership of the Carmelite Order want the agreement to be rescinded as it goes against the original conditions imposed by the family that donated the land to the Church in 1890.

The land was transferred to the Church on the understanding that it would be used solely as a convent.

Mr Cilia is suing the Carmelite Order and demanding it honours the lease agreement that allows commercial development on the priory’s garden.

Mr Cilia wants to build a supermarket, car park and offices.