21 urban community projects supported by Planning Authority

The Planning Authority has committed another €1.8 million from its Development Planning Fund to finance 21 urban improvement and community projects.

The projects include the establishment of Malta’s first Transport Museum, embellishment, restoration and re-paving works and upgrading of a playing field.

One of the larger projects which is receiving PA funding is related to the change of use of the former train station in Gnien l-Istazzjon, Birkirkara which is currently used as a child care facility, into Malta’s first Transport Museum.

The project will also include the installation of a lift, the placing of a kiosk with tables and chairs; refurbishment works within the garden and the repositioning of the only surviving train wagon in front of the museum.

Restoration works within the train station building will include the unblocking of windows, removal of metal fixtures, cleaning of masonry surfaces, replacement of deteriorated stone elements and the preservation of historical signs painted on the facade.

The project which is in its second phase will cost €770,000. In 2017, the Authority had financed the first phase of this project which included embellishment works in and around the garden area.

In Siggiewi, the PA will be financing another large-scale project which will be carried out in Pjazza San Nikola. The project costing €215,000 will see the creation of a night shelter for the use of elderly people living within the same locality.

The facilities will include five two-bedroom units, a kitchen, lounge and eating area and a nurse station.

In the village core area of Mosta, four street shrines which show clear signs of deterioration will be restored. The Authority will be financing €15,000 for this project.

The shrines, Vergine del Monte Carmelo, St Joseph with Child, The Holy Family, and St Francis lie within the Mosta heritage trail. This trail is being created to guide tourists around the attractions of the village.

In the localities of St Julians, Sliema, Dingli and Sannat, the authority will be financing works related to the laying of paving slabs and the resurfacing of pavements.

Works will also be carried out on the upgrading of a roundabout adjacent to the clock tower in Pembroke. The roundabout will be landscaped and include a fountain.

In Santa Lucija, new litter bins will be installed around the locality while in Hamrun upgrading works will be carried out on the public convenience facilities in Triq il-Ferrovija.

The authority is also funding the embellishment and revised parking provisions of a site in Attard.  

The PA will also be funding the installation of new playing equipment and safety surfacing within the Gnien il-Familja playfield, in Marsaxlokk.

The Development Planning Fund was established in 2017 and has over the past two years financed up to €12million in community projects across the Maltese Islands.

These projects include the embellishment of playing fields and open spaces, the restoration and regeneration of old properties for social community facilities, energy-saving street lighting, the installation of open air gyms and much more.

Proposed projects can receive up to a maximum of 70% of the total project cost.

As of this year, to further assist the beneficiaries, an up-front payment of 30% of the project cost is given at the signing of the contract.

The monies for this fund come from two sources; the fees (20%) associated with regularisation applications and the tariffs that a developer is charged when on-site parking is not provided for with a development permit.

To view the entire list of DPF projects visit: https://www.pa.org.mt/en/development_planning_fund