NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa welcomed the Court of Appeal's decision to uphold the appeal against the proposed hotel development at the historic Villa St Ignatius, and to remit the case back to the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal (EPRT) for a fresh hearing.

The appeal was supported by a coalition of local residents, as well as the St Julian's and Sliema Local Councils, who joined Din l-Art Ħelwa in challenging the proposal, Din l-Art Ħelwa said Wednesday.

At the heart of the case is the planned conversion of Villa St Ignatius, a heritage property situated within both an Urban Conservation Area and a predominantly residential zone, into a hotel with associated catering facilities.

The appellants successfully contended that the EPRT had misapplied planning policy by invoking the "overriding reasons" exception without first satisfying the policy's mandatory preconditions.

They argued that any deviation from the site's residential designation must be contingent on a proper assessment of compatibility with the surrounding neighbourhood and the absence of unacceptable cumulative impacts - considerations that, in this instance, were never adequately examined.

Commenting on the ruling, a Din l-Art Ħelwa spokesperson said: "We welcome the Court's decision, which reaffirms that planning policies must be applied consistently and lawfully. Malta's heritage and residential communities deserve a planning process that is transparent, accountable and fully respectful of the protections enshrined in law."

Din l-Art Ħelwa said it views this judgment as a clear affirmation of sound decision-making, the rigorous application of planning regulations and the enduring importance of safeguarding Malta's cultural heritage.