DB Group’s controversial City Centre project in Pembroke has had its permit revoked after the courts established there was a clear conflict of interest from one of the Planning Authority’s board members Matthew Pace.

The court decision has been hailed as an “earthquake” by lawyer Claire Bonello who had filed the court case.

DB Group will now have to go through the entire permitting process again in order to continue its development.

Matthew Pace was one of 10 board members to vote in favour of the project. It was later revealed by The Shift News that he was the co-owner of the Swieqi branch of the RE/MAX Alliance, one of several agencies seeking investors and residents for the project.

Arnold Cassola, who has long objected to the project, hailed the decision as a huge victory, as did Moviment Graffitti which organised a protest against development just yesterday.

The ruling was given by Judge Mark Chetcuti.

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