LIVE: PA decides on 38-storey db Group tower

The Planning Authority is today deciding on the db Group’s controversial proposed 38-storey tower and 17-storey hotel at the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) site in St George’s Bay. The project has drawn unprecedented opposition from local councils, residents and environmental groups, but has been recommended for approval. Follow live updates below. 10.20am: There's ironic cheers from residents in the hall as architects show photomontages of the development. The scale and visual impact are a major issue, particularly as the surrounding area is largely made up of residential two- and three-storey buildings. No mention here of the environmental studies that concluded a "highly adverse" visual impact, or the PA case officer's conclusion that "Tall buildings are by default and design conspicuous".  11.10am: Now for the traffic studies. All this hinges on a tunnel planned to be built to cope with the added demand. The tunnel will skirt Pembroke all the way up to the junction with Triq Suffolk, close to High Ridge. The junction itself will get a major upgrade. But all this will have to be dealt with in a separate application, if this one is approved. 10.55am: Now the architect...