Malibu development plan by U2 guitarist The Edge approved by state panel

MALIBU, Calif. (KABC) -- After a decade-long battle, a state panel has approved a Malibu development plan by U2 guitarist, The Edge.

The musician wants to build five homes in the mountains overlooking Malibu.

The California Coastal Commission voted unanimously to approve the plans, which have been revised to reduce effects on the sensitive habitat in the Santa Monica Mountains.

The guitarist partnered with a developer to buy the land along a prominent ridge line in 2006. But the proposal was withdrawn, resubmitted several times, and even turned down by the commission at one point.

The five individual applications approved by the commission cluster the homes much closer together than previously envisioned to leave more open space.

The plan still has to go through local review.

The Edge issued a statement thanking the commission for its feedback, saying "it has inherently driven better home designs and ensured protection of Malibu's natural resources."

"From day one, my intention was to build a home of the very highest possible standard of environmental sensitivity and sustainability," the statement said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.