Updated: After a very heated three-hour meeting, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority has given the go-ahead to the Fort Cambridge mega-development project after new plans, which MEPA said were in line with the height limitation, were submitted by the developers.

Before this mornings hearing on the development had actually started, a press release announcing the approval was found by reporters when they called at the MEPA offices.

As local residents protested about this, the MEPA chairman, who was asked to explain, said that MEPA had also prepared a press release in case the project was rejected, but, although the local residents demanded to see a copy, none was forthcoming.

Astrid Vella, of Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, described the whole situation as a farce, she said that everything that the residents said was either ignored, side-stepped or waffled.

She also pointed out that the decision was taken without any of the much needed environmental assessment reports being carried out, such as:

• A Traffic Impact Report
• A Geological Report (in an area honey-combed by caves)
• A Social Impact Report
• A Zero Option Report