The Planning Authority has approved the development of a supermarket and 26 apartments on a vacant site along Triq Dun Karm in Birkirkara, near Scan.

Part of the site is currently used as a boatyard, while the rest remains mostly empty. The project, proposed by Clement Gauci, includes a supermarket with a bakery and a dedicated loading and unloading bay. The customer area will cover approximately 1,000 square metres.

The wider development will feature offices on the first and second floors and 26 residential units - including five penthouses - within a separate lower block facing Triq Jannara. A cafeteria at street level is also planned.

The Development and Management Directorate had recommended the project for approval. According to the case officer's report, the design separates commercial and residential uses into two distinct blocks, consistent with the Central Malta Local Plan's zoning requirements.

Parking will be provided independently for each component: 100 spaces for the supermarket, 142 for the offices, and 31 for the residential units. This results in an over-provision of 84 parking spaces compared to policy requirements.

Triq Jannara, currently a narrow street, will be widened to meet its official boundary. Deliveries to the supermarket will be routed through a new internal road connecting the upper and lower streets, minimising traffic disruption to residential areas.

Transport Malta had initially raised concerns about the project's proximity to Mater Dei Hospital, particularly regarding emergency service access. However, a traffic impact assessment concluded that most vehicles generated by the development would not use the sensitive eastbound route. The additional traffic at the nearby Triq Dun Karm-Triq Tumas Fenech roundabout is expected to be minimal, ensuring that emergency routes remain unaffected.

The Planning Authority confirmed that both the height and layout of the buildings comply with planning policies. The commercial block along Triq Dun Karm will remain within the established height limits, while the residential block has been designed to follow the natural slope of the surrounding area.

Overall, the project is considered visually compatible with its surroundings. The parking and transport arrangements were deemed sufficient, and a retail impact assessment was not required, as the proposal aligns with existing zoning policies for mixed commercial and residential use.