Sliema Pjazzetta project gets green light

The MEPA Board yesterday unanimously approved planning permission for a development project to be carried out at the Il-Pjazzetta site in Sliema.

The approved project will include the retention and restoration of an existing Grade 2 scheduled façade, known as the ‘clinic’, incorporated within a mixed use development of offices, retail outlets, apartments and underlying garages.

The existing triangular open space area in front of the ‘clinic’ facade will be upgraded into a  garden for public enjoyment and will include a kiosk.

During the processing of this application the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage was consulted and found no objection to the project including the elimination of a War Shelter situated under the old ‘clinic’. The height of the approved development respects the local plan for the area and other related planning policies. The application was also subject to a Traffic Impact Study, which report was cleared by Transport Malta subject to a number of conditions.

Although the il-Pjazzetta site is outside the sensitivity area of the Ghar il-Lembi and Ghar id-Dud caves, the Authority has taken the necessary precognitions, through a permit condition, that all excavation works are to be carried out using sensitive excavation methodology and under strict monitoring.

The Board also approved planning permission for the extension and upgrading of the existing Bernard Hotel in Paceville into a 4 star Hotel Complex and the conversion of the former Bohemia Complex into a 3 star hotel, which two properties will be adjoining through a bridge on the roof level.  

Both planning applications benefitted from the recently approved new revised Hotels Height Limitation Adjustment Policy which seeks to facilitate the vertical extension of hotels which are rated as three star or above by the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA). Through this policy, such hotels, may apply for development permission to increase the height of the hotel building above the height limitation permitted in the Local Plan provided that the resultant design features a high quality product in keeping with the urban context.