PA agrees to fund 13 new community projects
The Planning Authority has agreed to fund a number of community projects in eight localities to the value of over €475,000. The projects include embellishment and restoration works, upgrading of playing fields and tree planting.
One of the larger projects that is receiving PA funding is the embellishment of an area in Pietà, next to the old chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. Works will include the upgrading of footpaths, improved road safety and traffic management. The project also includes a replica of a drinking water fountain which had been installed in the area at the end of the 19th century. This water fountain was one of a number of fountains which were placed in various centres and vantage points in Malta after the state had, in line with engineer Oswald Chadwick’s studies and suggestions, started to provide water pumps in streets and corners in towns and villages.
In the urban village core of Mosta, a street shrine dedicated to St Nicholas, which is situated in Triq Grognet corner with Triq San Gwann, will be restored. This statue, together with other similar ones around Mosta, lies within the Heritage Trail which will be created to lead tourists around the attractions of the village. The statue shows clear signs of deterioration.
Within the same locality, a number of streetlamps will be replaced by ones that are aesthically more compatible with the character of the village core. These streetlamps also have a low light pollution footprint, are low in glare and more efficient, resulting in a greener lighting scheme with less nuisance to neighbours and less maintenance requirements.
In the localities of Nadur and Dingli, embellishment works will be carried out on five public gardens. Works will include the replacement of playing field equipment and safety flooring, installation of CCTV camera and upgrading of sanitary facilities.
Embellishment works including the paving design of a street and alley behind the Fontana parish church will also be partially funded. The project is set to continue to enhance the character and historical setting of the streets around the parish church.
To introduce a degree of greenery in Sliema, an area dominated by dense urban development, the local council will be planting a number of indigenous tree species along Triq Sir Adrian Dingli. In Santa Luċija, a number of litter bins will be replaced with new more hygienic ones.
The Planning Authority is also partially funding a bas relief sculpture which is to be installed within San Anton Garden, next to the Presidential Palace. This sculpture will honour Maltese grandparents.
The Planning Authority, through its Development Planning Fund (DPF), has since the beginning of this year alone already agreed to fund over €5 million in community urban projects.