Planning permission has been granted to build about 100 apartments in place of the Forestals showroom and warehouses on the Sliema waterfront.

The unanimous decision by the planning authority board was slammed by Alternattiva Demokratika, who accused it of again taking the side of big developers.

The project involves two separate permits for “upmarket residential apartments” with parking and shopping facilities.

It will be eight storeys high and have a semi-basement level, in line with other developments along The Strand.

Eight storeys has been the height limitation along the Gżira and Sliema promenade, which falls outside the urban conservation areas of both towns, since 1988.

During yesterday’s meeting, a number of objectors pointed out that an environment impact report had not been drawn up.

However, the planning directorate, after consulting with the environment protection directorate, said the size of the proposed development was well below the legal threshold for an impact report.

The development was also situated a considerable distance away from the Villa Bonici, a scheduled property, the planning directorate said.

Furthermore, a traffic impact statement had been approved by Transport Malta.

The planning authority board said that, in this case, the issue of height limitation was not an issue of concern since it would “neatly fit into the eight floor streetscape of the Sliema Strand”. The board agreed that the development conformed with planning policies and was not going to compromise the area.

Meanwhile, the board also approved the permit for a hazardous waste storage facility within the existing Għallis landfill complex, limits of Naxxar.

The development, which forms part of the master plan approved in 2006, includes the construction of offices, security facilities, closed 40-foot container bays, two substations, a quarantine area, reverse osmosis facility and a workshop.