The Planning Authority is set to decide on three planning applications proposing apartment blocks on Thursday.

One apartment block is located in Naxxar and is separate from the other two, which form part of a masterplan in an area in St Paul’s Bay.

The first application deals with a plot located right next to the Trade Fair grounds in Naxxar. The site consists of an existing vacant plot at il-Gwejdja, partly facing Pjazza Celsi and is just off Triq il-Markiz Scicluna, within the limits to development of Naxxar.

The application, which was recently revised, seeks permission to excavate the existing site and to construct 71 residential units spread over 5 levels. The proposed maximum height reaches 17.50 meters above the highest street level and the total footprint of the complex extends over 3,141 square meters of which 141 square meters, as measured at ground floor level, fall within the Urban Conservation Boundary.

The application had previously already gone to the board already last January, but the board had concerns which dealt with the transition zone in terms of massing and design between the UCA and the area within scheme, in particular as seen from Pjazza Celsi. Furthermore the Board preferred the inclusion of more traditional elements within the UCA part and more greenery within the overall proposal, the case officer’s report read. The board that day agreed on a deferral.

The design was since updated and the application is now going to the board again on Thursday.

“The Development Management Directorate is positively considering the proposed development… Furthermore, the revised design will contribute even more than the previous one to a positive development of the urban fabric, together with an adequate transition with the UCA addressing the concerns that were previously raised by the Board,” the case officer’s report read.

The application is being recommended for approval by the case officer who said that the proposed design “will contribute to a positive development of the urban fabric providing an adequate transition from the UCA and the adjacent, recently approved medium-raise development.”

The second application forms part of a larger project and is situated on Triq it-Tamar, St Paul’s Bay.

This development application proposes excavation works and the construction of 2 underground basement levels catering for a total of 92 garages, the construction of a 7-storey plus setback floor level residential block housing 4 marionettes, 2 shops, 36 apartments and 6 penthouses and the construction of a 115 guest room hostel over 7 plus setback floor levels right adjacent to the residential block.

This project forms part of a wider masterplan in the area.

The case officer recommended that this project be approved.

The third application is linked to the second as it forms part of the same masterplan. The site is located on Triq in-Nakkri, St Paul’s Bay.

It proposes, among other things, the construction of 18 apartments at 1st to 6th floor level and 3 penthouses at penthouse level. The proposal includes basement level -1, 20 parking spaces, a ground floor gym, spa and external play area.

The case officer has recommended that this application be approved.