Mepa has approved an extension to a controversial development incorporating Sliema’s old naval clinic on the site known as Il-Pjazzetta.

The development, which was first approved in 2014, features an eight-storey complex containing offices, retail outlets, apartments and underlying garages. Prior to its approval, the proposal had attracted the ire of residents and heritage groups because of risks to an underlying air-raid shelter and fragile cave system, as well as on aesthetic grounds.

However, the extension approved today, which involves demolishing a building on High Street and amalgamating it into the new development, met with no objections and was approved unanimously by the Mepa board.

The extension also includes a number of minor alterations, including the relocation of garage entrance to the adjoining pjazzetta basement garages and change of use of existing garage ramp to a retail outlet, as well as the construction of a pool over the penthouse level.

The Environment Protection Directorate noted that while the underground car park would be extended under the new proposal, the extended area was further away from the underlying cave system and therefore did not raise any concerns.

Mepa carried over a number of conditions and bank guarantees from the original proposal, including the requirement for the developers to restore the existing façade of the naval clinic and incorporate it into the design.