The Planning Board has today approved planning permission for the development of a high-rise commercial complex within the Mriehel Industrial Area.

The approval was given today during a packed public hearing. Environmental NGOs had put forward their legal concerns and voiced strong objections over the past weeks against the proposed project.

The Authority said that the approved project, which will include four tower blocks, comprising of 14, 16, 17 and 19 storeys respectively and organised around a central piazza, will be developed on a rectangular derelict parcel of land covering an area of approximately 10,000sqm.

The towers which will be interlinked with elevated landscaped walkways and bridges will include offices and conference facilities, food and drinks outlets, a supermarket, a showroom, a gym and a day care centre and an underground car park to accommodate up to 1,065 cars.

PA added that "this project, which meets all the requirements of the Planning Policy Guidance on the Use and Applicability of the Floor Area Ratio (FAR), 2014, will positively contribute towards the continual evolvement of the surrounding area into high quality employment and commercial hub."

It qualified for an EIA screening for which an Environmental Planning Statement (EPS) was carried out. Through the EPS, the Authority said that it requested the applicant to incorporate into the project a number of mitigation measures "to minimise certain impacts that the project will be having on the environment."

The Authority pointed out that during the processing of this application, the Design Advisory Committee was consulted and noted that "the interest created by the different levels of the towers and the staggered massing of each, particularly the tapering at the highest levels, creates a fluid, dynamic and interesting design which mitigates the volume of the complex."

The Committee said that it also took the liberty "to consider the various viewpoints which were part of the visual impact assessment and concluded that the visual impact of the project is not significant enough so as to warrant any concerns."

The Planning Board imposed a planning gain of over €190,000 which funds will be utilised to financially support environmental improvement projects through The Imriehel Foundation.

Planning Authority photomantage photos of the approved project

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