A number of Environment NGOs have issued a court judicial protest against the granting of a permit to build a pool extending out into Marsalforn Valley, "as part of the abusive Joseph Portelli development there."

In a statement, Din L-Art Helwa, Flimkien għal Ambjent Ahjar, Għawdix, Moviment Graffitti and Wirt Għawdex said that this 8-storey development already breaches the Gozo & Comino Local Plan, and the DC15 policy which preclude major developments on Gozo's protected ridges. At 8 storeys, this development is the most abusive ridge-edge project so far, as not only does it change the landscape, dominating it from miles around, the hillside was gouged out to accommodate the project."

Tomorrow's hearing regards the addition of a large pool and deck would violate policy GZ-EDGE 2 of the Local Plan which reads: "The policy on Swimming Pools ODZ (Feb 2000) shall not be applicable to ODZ areas adjacent to ridge edges unless it can be proven that these interventions are occurring on existing (permitted) established gardens, and the intervention complements the sensitive characteristics of the ridge edge," the NGOs said. "Swimming pools along the side of valley here would destroy the lush vegetation and trees of this untouched site, and this precedent could lead to much wider destruction of valleys all over Gozo."

The indications are that the Planning Commission will issue permit, in defiance of the recommendation for refusal by the PA case officer - something which is happening repeatedly with Portelli applications, they said.

"Indeed, in its report, the Planning Authority Directorate has held firm in recommending refusal of this application by Joseph Portelli and his partners the Agius brothers (Ta Dirjanu) and Daniel Refalo. However, at the previous hearings, it became clear that the Planning Commission has the intention of approving it against the PA's technical advice."

"The eNGOs maintain that the legally-ratified Local Plan is to be respected and no amount of tweaking of plans in favour of speculators should be allowed to override the law and public interest."