The Three Cities will soon be able to take a breath of fresh air after the planning authority yesterday gave the green light to build a garden in Dock 1 in Cospicua, making it a public area.

After years of being closed off, the area around the dock and the quay will be opened up and integrated with two central squares allowing people to walk along the waterfront of the entire creek.

The application was filed by the Transport Ministry and was welcomed by members of the Cospicua local council who said they had long been waiting to see a project in the area.

The works include extensive landscaping around St Theresa church, redesigning the regatta club façade and the development of grass dunes. Misraħ Paolino Vassallo and Pjazza Gavino Gulia will also be given a new look and become pedestrian zones. All the historical features and profile of the dock will be restored and incorporated in the project.

Project case officer Joseph Borg said the garden would create a green lung in the heart of a densely-populated area.

A low wall that blocks access to the waterfront will be dropped and additions to the original structures, such as garages, will be demolished.

The historic profile of the dock will be restored and a bridge with a height of 2.4 metres will be built over the mouth of the dock, he said.

A resident, Chris Agius, asked the board for information about the historic floating lock gate that was used in the dock. Joe Magro Conti, from the Heritage Unit, said it was probably taken to the shipyards about five years ago. The board called on the authorities to locate the lock gate and other related machinery and conserve them.

The project, which was recommended for approval, was welcomed by Cospicua mayor Joe Scerri. "I'm very happy with this project. Please, let this project happen before I die."