U2 guitarist the Edge is likely to fight a decision by the California Coastal Commission barring him from building a 1,2000 sq m eco-friendly mansion in the Malibu Hills in California.

Fiona Hutton, a spokeswoman for the guitarist, whose real name is Dave Evans, told the Irish Independent that litigation was being considered after the planning body voted 8-4 against the proposal because of concerns about its impact on the environment. The project was planned on a 156-acre site at Sweetwater Masa in Malibu, and four other homes are planned by different owners on the same site.

"Primarily the issue was the size of the homes and their exact location," said Hutton.

"A lot of the commissioners did recognize that these were environmentally-sensitive homes. They were trying to do the right thing. They'd like to see them shifted to another location.

"We have to figure out where to go. They could litigate, or they could develop new plans with new applications. We're considering the options."
 
Evans first lodged plans for his luxury home along with four others in 2006. The rocker’s house was to be named 'Leaves in the Wind,’ for the green roof meant to emulate fluttering leaves. Permission was also sought to build four more homes called 'Blue Clouds,' 'Panorama,' 'Shell House' and 'Clouds Rest.’

According to a website, the houses were designed to meet the highest environmental standards, incorporating recycled and renewable materials, rainwater catchment systems, solar panels and native landscaping. The architects describe the Edge’s planned home as appearing to defy gravity, held aloft by the winds.

"Leaves in the Wind is designed and located to create an attractive appearance that is harmonious with the surrounding landscape and visually compatible with the surrounding areas," it says.

"The undulating components of the roof structure, minimally supported, adopt a free form as they appear to defy gravity, held aloft only by the prevailing wind currents."

The site was bought by five separate owners for €9m, and less than 1percent of the lot -- 1.5 acres -- would be used for the homes. If permission was granted, 60 percent would be given as open space which would allow a nature trail to be constructed.

"In 38 years of this commission's existence, this is one of the three worst projects that I've seen in terms of environmental devastation," said the commission’s executive director.

Peter Douglas added: "It's a contradiction in terms -- you can't be serious about being an environmentalist and pick this location."