U2's The Edge Claims his Malibu Development is the World's Greenest

An ocean view seen from a hill area adjacent to the proposed Malibu development of U2 guitarist The Edge (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

The Edge, U2's guitarist otherwise known as David Evans, has bought some prime property in the unincorporated Malibu area and neighbors are not amused.

Plans call for five mansions, one for him, on 156 acres of prime land with sweeping views of the ocean. The two-story 10,000 square foot earth-toned buildings will be built to Gold LEED standards. "These homes will be some of the most environmentally sensitive ever designed in Malibu — or anywhere in the world," the guitarist, whose real name is David Evans, said in a prepared statement to the Associated Press.

He also told the news agency that the dwellings would look like fallen leaves on the hillside and have about as much impact on the surrounding environment. However, while LEED ratings for homes address building materials and sustainability, they do not address loss of wildlife habitat.

In response to The Edge's green claims, Mark Abramson from the Santa Monica Baykeeper said "I've got to call bovine scat on that." The development awaits approval by the California Coastal Commission. It has already been approved the Los Angeles County.