The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) board yesterday approved the full development application for the construction of a marine aquarium close to the Qawra promenade.

The marine aquarium includes several facilities such as a cafeteria, a museum, a diving institute, an amphitheatre and underground parking.

At present, the site is a derelict stretch of land on the foreshore of Qawra and will also convert the existing parking area into a promenade with ample open spaces.

According to the plan, the aquarium will be divided in a number of sections. These include a paludarium, Mediterranean species, a reef tank for tropical species and a section for fixed display tanks.

During yesterday’s public hearing, the board also approved the application for the construction of a new substation at Manoel Island, underground services at the Malta Freeport and deferred the hearing for outline application for the construction of pig fattening units.