After years of objections from locals and environmental groups, U2 guitarist The Edge has been given the go-ahead by state officials for a five-home luxury development in Malibu, California.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the California Coastal Commission, controversially voting 302 miles away from Malibu in Monterey, unanimously approved the building project on Thursday. Further permits will be needed from the city of Malibu and Los Angeles County.
The Edge, real name David Evans, thanked members of the commission and Malibu locals for their contributions to what he described as a "long process".
"It has inherently driven better home designs and ensured protection of Malibu's natural resources," he said in a statement.
"From day one my intention was to build a home of the very highest possible standard of environmental sensitivity and sustainability. Together, this collaborative effort has achieved that goal."
The paper says that there have been significant changes to architectural plans for the five homes, which will be more than 10,000 square feet in size with their own swimming pools.
As part of environmental undertakings, The Edge will also open 140 acres around the homes to public access, but opponents still say the development is too big.
