Mepa this afternoon renewed a permit for the development of the Metropolis Plaza in Gżira, which will feature the tallest building on the island.

The full development permit of the project – a €60 million mixed-use lifestyle development in the heart of Gżira – was approved by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority in March 2009.

Metropolis Plaza will include three high-rise buildings consisting of 13, 27 and 33 floors.

The project includes luxury residential, commercial, health, fitness and leisure facilities and 500 underlying parking spaces.

The renewed permit includes minor amendments to some of the residential units, taking into consideration recommendations by the National Commission Persons with Disability.

The authority also sanctioned a illegally built underground car park on the grounds of the Archbishop's seminary.

One member voted against.

The seminary was given a €2,300 sanctioning fine and made to pay €10,000 in planning gain for the illegal excavations that were carried out on site.