A planning application which will include the construction of a new English language school in a vacant plot in St Julian’s has been filed with the Planning Authority.

The application is for the “excavation of the existing site, and construction of a multi-purpose building that includes two underground parking levels, gym and spa facilities (Class 3C), an English language school (Class 2C), offices (Class 4A) and a public garden at top level”.

It is situated in a vacant site which runs along Triq Henry Calleja and Triq Mikiel Anton Vassalli in St Julian’s and which measures 2,380 square metres.

The applicant is Jodie Camilleri, with Pierre Farrugia serving as the project’s architect.

The project will include two underground levels and rise three storeys, with a public rooftop garden. The development will rise so that it is one storey above Triq Mikiel Anton Vassalli – better known as Regional Road – at the exit point of the tunnel which goes from St Julian’s towards Kappara.

Two basement levels are being proposed as part of the project. The bottom level will hold 46 public parking spaces, while the upper underground level will be a Transport Mobility Hub holding 25 shared mobility car spaces and an area which has been called a “Green Oasis” in the project plans.

This “Green Oasis” will be composed of 14 fast-charging stations where electric vehicles can be charged up in just 15 minutes, according to the plans.

A total of 100 electric scooter charging points are also planned across both levels.

The ground floor is then dedicated to the gym and spa facilities, with 420 square metres being dedicated to the gym itself, six exercise rooms, five spa rooms and a small pool all being included in the proposal.  Two squash courts are also included in the plans.

The English language school is then spread across the first floor, with eight classrooms, an indoor games hall, a cafeteria and a semi-external garden being proposed for this floor.

The second floor is then made up of largely open plan office space, with the plans stating that the floor will be dedicated to “gaming offices and a gaming software academy”.

Finally, the project proposes a public rooftop garden, which includes a playground, a fountain and several community areas.

A bridge, which will connect the development with Triq Charles Sciberras in upper Ta’ Giorni, is also being planned.  The bridge will run over the exit road from the Regional Road tunnels which cars can take down to the traffic light junction at the foot of Birkirkara Hill.

The application was only filed recently, meaning that entities and authorities are yet to submit their recommendations and assessments on the development.

The case status therefore is still pending a recommendation from the PA’s case officer.