The Malta Environment and Planning Authority board unanimously approved a full development application yesterday for the construction of apartments, commercial premises and garages at the site where the former Les Lapins Hotel stood in Ta’ Xbiex.

This will be just the first phase of the project, as the second phase – the construction of a small hotel – will involve a separate full development application.

The project will include 110 garages, above which six floors will be built. The plan includes a number of shops, eight offices, 54 apartments and four penthouses over six floors on the Ta’ Xbiex seafront and in Triq

l-Imradd. The construction in this street will be on five

levels.

The external design of the construction will be in keeping with the surrounding residential area and the materials that will be used include copper sheeting, marble cladding with anodised aluminium apertures and stainless steel railings.

According to the proposal, only one construction access point on the seafront will be used and the first phase of the project is expected to be completed by March 2009.