New student facilities for MCAST campus in Paola

The approved three new blocks will accommodate the Institute for Business and Commerce and the Institute of Applied Science while a third block will be designated for Flexible teaching and catering facilities.

The block designated to accommodate the Institute of Business and Commerce consists of four levels of lecture and administration rooms while the block housing the Institute of Applied Science will consist mainly of laboratories, lecture rooms, administration rooms and a lecture theatre spread over five levels. A third block will accommodate the campus’ main catering area and other lecture rooms. The underground carpark will be constructed on one level and will provide approximately 630 car parking spaces.

Last year, the Mepa Board had approved the master plan for a new campus and sports facilities at MCAST in Paola. The Master plan, which covers a floor area of approximately 150,000 sq meters, will include the installation of a bridge across Corradino Hill which will link the MCAST educational complex with the Gaddafi Gardens on the opposite side. To address the Air Quality problem in the area and tackle the traffic impact this development will cause, the Plan had included a Green Transport Plan which will effectively introduce and implement a number of green travel initiatives.    

The Mepa Board also approved an outline development permit for the construction of 7 detached bungalows on 4.12 tumuli of land at Triq Ghajn Zejtuni in Santa Maria Estate limits of Mellieha. Back in December, the MEPA board had refused this application which was more voluminous, consisting of 13 proposed semi and fully detached dwellings. Following a number of significant changes to his original proposal, including limiting one detached dwelling per plot and increasing by a further 2 metres the original proposed  setback  from  the  scheduled  water  course, the Board deemed that there were now enough safeguards to protect the integrity and ecology of the scheduled valley. 

Lastly, the Board approved planning permission for the installation of 7 metre tall wind turbine and the construction  of  two  car-ports with roofed over with photovoltaic cells at the new US Embassy in Ta’ Qali.