The Planning Authority has responded to criticisms made by eNGOs regarding an application near Xaghra's Ta' Kola windmill.

A number of ENGOs had said: "When the objectors quoted examples of nearby applications that had been refused, they were silenced by the Chairman, who repeatedly defended the application, ignoring every policy infringement raised by Victor Borg, Astrid Vella, (FAA) and Romano Cassar, NGO representative on the PA Board."

The Planning Authority issued a statement, in which it said that "contrary to the insinuations in the statements issued by the eNGOs, during the Planning Board public hearing, at no point did the chairman' silence objectors' or try defending application PA5562/21. Inversely, following several points raised by the objectors on the case, the Board requested further information and therefore deferred the case."

The application in question would see the construction of a reservoir with overlying maisonette, 2 two-car garages at ground floor level, and six apartments at first, second and third floor levels.

ENGOs defending the historical setting of Xagħra's Ta' Kola windmill at the Planning Authority had said that they were dismayed to witness a repeat of the 'develop at all costs' approach that the politicians profess to be turning their backs on.