Updated | University residence for foreign students approved

The Planning Authority has unanimously approved a 690-person capacity university residence for foreign students set between the university and the Mater Dei hospital. 

The residence will consist of six separate blocks, with varying heights that reach a maximum of 10 floors. The complex will be built on land currently occupied by a disused garden centre between the hospital and the university campus.

The site, known as Ta’ Gjalpos, is outside the development zone, but was designated in the local plan as reserved “for the future expansion of government institutions”, including the hospital and the university.

The Halland Hotel redevelopment proposal

The project will be undertaken by Vassallo Builders, the sole bidder in a request for proposals issued in 2015.

The complex will consist of residential units for students, four basement levels accommodating 456 car parking spaces, three levels of commercial space overlooking the university access road, a language school, indoor garden and an outdoor swimming pool. 250 of the 456 parking spaces were requested by government to address the university’s needs.

An artist's impression of the how the university residence complex will look

Excavation works will take place over 8,400sq.m of land.

The new residence will replace an existing one in Lija, the lease of which has expired.

Mater Dei Hospital's administration had originally objected to the development, warning that it would have a negative impact on patients but this objections were withdrawn.

A number of conditions were imposed to mitigate impacts on the hospital during construction. These includes monitoring reports to the hospital’s administration. Moreover, construction vehicles will not be allowed to use the hospital’s ring road unless permitted by Mater Dei. 

PA board marathon session

The approval comes as the PA board is reviewing three major construction projects, which may get the green light in a marathon session being carried out today.

The projects being reviewed are the Manoel Island project in Gzira, the redevelopment of the Halland Hotel in Tal-Ibragg, the new residence for the University of Malta next to Mater Dei Hospital. Another development in Mosta is also on today's agenda.

The Manoel Island project includes 610 apartments and a 5-star hotel located in the Lazzaretto complex, an 8,449 sq.m retail complex, a marina for 183 berths and 3,695 sq.m allocated for sports facilities.

The Halland Hotel in Ibragg, which rose above the surrounding villas thanks to permits issued in the 1960s and 1970s, is set to be replaced by a residential complex, built to the same height of the existing structure.

In terms of the university residence, this had been slated for approval after Mater Dei Hospital dropped strong objections to the project in its back yard.