The Metropolis Plaza project in the heart of Gzira, was approved by Mepa. The highest building will rise to 33 floors.

A Mepa consultation document, issued today, proposes that tall buildings will be allowed only in Marsa, Gzira, Tigne'  Paceville, Qawra and Pembroke.

No tall buildings will be allowed in Gozo.

The policy document is being launched by Parliamentary Secretary Michael Farrugia, who is responsible for Mepa.

Tall buildings are defined as buildings of more than 10 storeys.

There is no policy capping of the height of tall buildings where they may be built.

Dr Farrugia said the draft policy framework includes calls for the submission of detailed studies to accompany any application for the building of a tall building, including an urban design study/character appraisal, a visual impact assessment, a transport assessment, a social impact assessment and a design statement.

For a tall building to be approved, it has to be within the approved locations and the site must be a completely detached block surrounded by existing roads.

A public meeting on the draft policy will be held at Mepa on December 10 at 4 p.m.

The consultation document may be seen as www.mepa.org.mt/public-consultation