An application for a 125 unit complex in the Ta' Ċenċ area in Sannat, Gozo, submitted by developer Joseph Portelli has just had its recommendation changed from refusal to approval, Moviment Graffitti said.

The proposed development is earmarked to take place around 300 meters from the edge of the cliffs and many questions were raised by environmental NGOs on the ecological impact the development would have on nearby ecosystems.

Initially, the case officer recommended that the project be rejected.

The application will be heard by the Planning Commission for the third time on Friday 11 March at noon. "This follows the Commission's peculiar and unjustified decision to request review of the application by the Executive Council, instead of rejecting the application, as recommended by the case officer. The Executive Council is a separate PA organisation, led by Martin Saliba, which has nothing to do with reviewing these type of planning applications," Graffitti said.

NGO Moviment Graffiti called out Saliba's and Portelli's "sickening tactics."

"The PA and Portelli are using new tricks which are sickening! The authorities are rolling out the red carpet for illegalities by Portelli and his partners, encouraging blatant breaking up of applications and evasion of environmental studies. We have already reported illegal works closing off the entire area between the site and the cliffs and the authorities have done nothing! This development will devastate Sannat and its quaint surroundings. The PA and their web of dysfunctional systems are destroying the charm and peace of our beautiful Gozitan villages," Graffitti said.