A stretch of land between Zammit Clapp Hospital and the Convent of the Sacred Heart school is earmarked for the construction of a regional health centre.

Although no building application has yet been submitted, the planning authority has kick-started the process for a partial review of the North Harbour local plan which designates the area as a residential priority area.

The first phase of the consultation process closed yesterday but a more detailed exercise, spanning over a six-week period, will follow.

The designation of the area has to change to be able to accommodate “a high quality regional health hub”, as it was described in a Malta Environment and Planning Authority advert.

The site, which borders the Regional Road, covers the parking area adjacent to Zammit Clapp Hospital and a parking area on the back side of the Sacred Heart school.

Mepa also wants to amend the existing height limitation to accommodate the health centre while giving due consideration to the surrounding context.

A more detailed exercise, spanning a six-week period, will follow

Asked what prompted the local plan review, a Mepa spokesman said the authority had received a planning control application in 2012 for the revision of the local plan and the idea was retained by the current government.

Since the area is designated as a residential area, the local plan has to be reviewed to allow the construction of a health hub, he said.