The disused General Soft Drinks factory in Qormi will be demolished and replaced by about 200 apartments, garages and a showroom, according to an outline development permit approved by the planning authority yesterday.

The factory, which covers more than 7,600 square meters, was built in 1952 and became popular for the production of several drinks but mostly Coca-Cola. In 2008, as the company expanded, it moved to a larger plant in Marsa, which has a footprint of 21,000 square metres. That same year, the owners filed a planning application to convert the old Qormi plant into a residential block with an underlying showroom on the main street, Mdina Road.

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority yesterday approved the outline permit for 188 apartments, 300 garages and the showroom. Before the project goes ahead, a full development permit will have to be obtained.

The application is one of the remnants of the old system because the Mepa reform that came into force last January abolished the outline permit stage.

Project architect Edwin Mintoff told the Mepa board the project aimed to be “a relatively upmarket development in the area”.

The case officer recommended the project for approval as it was in line with the local plan for the area that allowed residential buildings and commercial facilities on the main road. Besides, the factory was of no architectural value.

The outline permit was granted on condition that no residences were built at semi-basement level. The case officer had originally demanded the closure of a borehole on the site of the old factory. However, following consultation with the Malta Resources Authority, this condition was lifted. The company linked the borehole to its new Marsa factory through a pipeline. According to the permit granted yesterday, the borehole can only be used for industrial purposes at the Marsa plant.