Plans for the rehabilitation of the Salini saltpans and huts were this morning approved by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

An outline development permit for the works had been approved last year.

The saltpans, built at the times of the knights, are now in a dilapidated state and the adjacent huts are in a state of disrepair.

The huts, built under British rule for salt storage, will now be demolished and rebuilt in a style outwardly similar to the originals, which over the years have been patched up with other structures.

The hut in the middle will be built higher than the original, and will host a visitor centre complementing the other two huts.

Mepa also approved the building of a nine-storey office block in the Smart City development in Kalkara.

The building, spread over 12,000 square metres, will be hosting up to 550 workers and has been designed with energy conservation in mind, with the building estimated to be 80 per cent energy efficient.

Concrete used for the building of the site will be made with the rock cut up for the foundations.