Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri announced that the government is allocating €9 million towards the ‘Irrestawra Darek u l-Villaġġ’ scheme for restoration, conservation, and maintenance of properties in the Port Region.
The Port Region is made up of the following localities: The Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Conspicua), Kalkara, Xgħajra, Żabbar, Fgura, Paola, Tarxien, Floriana, and Valletta.
The fund allocation for each region is broadly based on the number of homes located within its Urban Conservation Areas (UCAs), to ensure a balanced and proportionate distribution of funds.
Applications for this scheme opened on Wednesday, 22 April and will remain open for one week, until Wednesday, 29 April. All applications will be evaluated on a strict first-come, first-served basis.
Applications can either be filed online through the Planning Authority’s website or in-person.
Applicants may verify whether they are eligible for this scheme through the PA’s MapServer tool, the Scheduled Properties Register, or via direct assistance by either telephone (2290 0000) or e-mail ([email protected]).
Eligible applicants may benefit from up to €15,000 for restoration works on all properties located within UCAs; up to €100,000 for the restoration of Grade 1 scheduled buildings within UCAs; and up to €50,000 for Grade 2 scheduled buildings within UCAs.
This regional scheme forms part of the Planning Authority’s ongoing efforts to help property owners look after their buildings, encourage investment in traditional streets, and preserve the architectural character of the towns and villages of this region.
Minister Camilleri said that “this scheme is open to owners of private residences, NGOs, and businesses located within the UCAs of the localities of this region.”
He said that this scheme reflects the government’s commitment to preserving the character of villages around the Maltese islands.
The Planning Authority’s Executive Chairman Johann Buttigieg expressed his appreciation towards all persons who have shown interest in this scheme in the regions it has opened in so far. Funds were exhausted in “just a few days” in all regions, he said.
Buttigieg noted that the PA has received around 1,000 submissions in total: 424 from the Western Region, 373 from the Southern Region, and 173 submissions from the region of Gozo.
“This strong level of demand shows how much communities value their built heritage. This is also why the scheme is being opened region by region: to ensure a fair and transparent system where everyone has an equal opportunity to apply,” Buttigieg said.
For more information about this scheme, one can visit the following link: https://pa.org.mt/irrestawra-darek-u-lvillagg.
