€631,000 agreement signed with three local councils to fund embellishment project

The Planning Authority has signed an agreement with three local councils to fund embellishment projects in their respective localities.

The projects, under the Authority’s Urban Improvement Fund (UIF) worth €631,000, include major upgrading works in the Birkirkara valley area, the embellishment of FX Ebejer Garden in Swieqi and paving works around the Chapel of St. Anthony the Abbot in Xaghra, Gozo.

In Birkirkara, the UIF projects will include extensive embellishment works along Triq il-Qasab and Sqaq il-Wied resulting in new street furniture, footpaths, decorative railings, street lighting and upgrading of an existing garden.

In Xaghra, Gozo, the UIF project will include the installation of travertine steps and architectural external lighting along the chapel’s pavis and repaving works along the alley leading up to the same Chapel. The Chapel of St. Anthony the Abbot is one of the oldest chapels in Gozo and served as the first parish church of Xaghra up until 1692.

FX Ebejer Garden in Swieqi, which is a popular public garden enjoyed by residents living in the area will undergo extensive embellishment works. The works will include the installation of a timber gazebo, child sensory play equipment, landscaping, entrance gates and new lighting. 

During the launch of these projects, the Authority also presented the mayors’ of the Swieqi, Mellieha and Mqabba local council with the monies for the recently completed projects. The projects, for the value of over €233,000 included upgrading works and access for all facilities at a public garden and tennis court in Triq il-Hemel, Swieqi, the upgrading of a playing field in Mqabba and the installation of new energy saving street lighting in a number of streets in Mellieha.  

Over the past year, the Authority has signed agreements with 13 different local councils for projects that are estimated to cost over €1.2 million.  The funds for these projects originate from the Urban Improvement Fund which is administered by the Planning Authority. The accumulated monies in this fund originate from the fee the Planning Authority imposes on developers, where projects cannot fully cater for parking provisions as required by planning law. 

The Authority is currently revising its local funding procedures with a view to streamline its implementation and so that the local community could benefit from a wider range of sustainable projects.