Planning Authority to allocate €5 million towards home restorations

The Planning Authority has announced another scheme for property owners to restore the facades of their homes, through €5 million in financial aid. This is the fourth edition of the ‘Irrestawra Darek’ scheme.

The scheme was announced on Friday by the Minister for Public Works and Planning Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi together with the Executive Chairman of the Planning Authority Oliver Magro.

Zrinzo Azzopardi said that the scheme will help individuals to renovate and enhance their homes, and such initiatives continue to provide opportunities for the country to preserve the main characteristics of Maltese architecture in the heart of towns and villages.

Magro said that a method of safeguarding towns and villages is by conserving and keeping them attractive, not only because they are integral parts of Maltese architectural heritage but also because they reflect the authenticity of Maltese identity.

He added that since 2017, the Planning Authority has allocated over €27 million, benefiting more than 3,000 property owners in UCA zones.

“We appreciate that heritage buildings require more attention when it comes to renovation, as they demand specific materials and traditional skills. We cannot insist enough on adopting best practices and techniques, especially in sensitive areas such as the cores of our villages. Therefore, we are offering financial incentives to property owners to achieve our goal,” Magro said.

Through the scheme, residents who own properties in any locality in Malta and Gozo that fall within Urban Conservation Areas (UCA) or are scheduled in the First or Second Grade will be able to restore their property facades and receive a refund of 100% of the works, up to a maximum of €11,000 in UCA zones and €16,000 for properties scheduled in the First or Second Grade.

Part of the same refund will also include up to €800 for eligible professional services (including architect fees) and €200 for local council permits.

Residential properties that have already benefited from previous editions of the scheme will not be eligible.

€4 million will be allocated for residential properties in UCA zones, while €1 million will be allocated for scheduled residential properties.

Applications for this scheme will be accepted from 30 May 2023 until 30 June 2023 for UCA residences, while for scheduled properties, applications will be accepted from 6 June 2023 till 6 July 2023.

Also present at the launch was Chairman of the Development Planning Fund Committee (DPF) Architect Ray Farrugia.

For more information, visit the website pa.org.mt or download the guidelines or send an email to irrestawra darek2023@pa.org.mt.