Updated at 4.20pm

Just half an hour after issuing a statement saying it had approved the new facilities, the Planning Authority recalled its e-mail, sending out a new version saying that the Planning Board had actually suspended the decision for the upgrading of new facilities at the University Sports Complex in Tal-Qroqq.

It said that the board agreed to allow the applicant to consider concerns raised about the car park provisions within the University grounds and the installation of renewable energy measures in consultation with the Institute of Renewable Energy of the University.

The first phase of the project being proposed will include the construction of a new Institute of Physical Education and Sport (IPES) to replace the existing Alumni Gymnasium.

The new building will include six squash courts, showers and ancillary facilities, a multi-purpose sports hall, lecture rooms, research laboratories and offices.

A new spectator’s stand will be constructed with enough seating to accommodate 600 spectators on the lower level with another 416 on the upper level. Under the new stand an indoor running track, showers, two performance laboratories and rehabilitation treatment rooms will also be developed.

The existing football ground will be refurbished, together with the inclusion of a new eight-lane athletics track to international standards.

In Phase 2, two new basketball pitches, a volleyball pitch as well as two additional outdoor tennis courts will be added. An application for these works has yet to be submitted.