The government has effectively dealt a mortal blow to plans to build around 57 bungalows at Ta' Cenc which would have formed part of a larger proposed development.

In a letter addressed to Malta Environment and Planning Authority chairman Andrew Calleja, Environment Minister George Pullicino says that the recently approved Local Plan for Gozo and Comino should not be interpreted "in any way" as allowing new development in the area of Ta'Cenc overlooking Mgarr ix-Xini.

The developer, hotelier Victor Borg, was planning to build 57 bungalows in that area.

Recently the heritage trust Din l-Art Helwa insisted that a sentence in the local plan could give rise to a loophole that, in conflict with the Structure Plan, accommodates the development proposal for Ta' Cenc in the Mgarr ix-Xini area.

Mepa denied this was the case but the minister stepped in to put the matter beyond doubt.

"The phrase 'limit development in the lower part of the plateau near Mgarr ix-Xini' is to be interpreted that development is to be limited to what is already existing in this area," he said in the letter.

Mr Calleja said that the board had been briefed about the minister's letter.

"The board members have collectively agreed to this policy context. However, I don't think there was ever a controversy in the sense that Mepa has always said that there is no conflict between the Structure Plan and the Local Plan."

The affected area represents a substantial chunk of the development which, overall, would also incorporate a new five-storey hotel, an extension of the existing 148-bed hotel, 49 bungalows along the ridge overlooking Xewkija and a heritage park which would cover around 60 per cent of the land.

Recently, the authority announced that the period for objections would be reopened, following a recommendation by the authority's audit officer in reply to a complaint filed by Din l-Art Helwa.

The heritage trust had contended that the authority should have requested a fresh application once the original one, submitted in 1996, had been amended. The audit officer was of the same opinion and advised Mepa's chairman accordingly.