Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1233417
09.04.2020 10 TOWNSCAPES Planning Authority reviews 2019 THE Planning Authority continues to strive for technological advancement by investing in ICT to consistently deliver quality and timely service to its custom- ers. Last year, the Authority's core busi- ness functions continued to become more automated. e strive towards extending tele- working capabilities amongst the Au- thority's workforce also started bearing the desired fruit. e ongoing COV- ID-19 pandemic highlights how impor- tant the Authority's approach and im- plemention strategy taken over the past few years has been. e Authority has managed to continue offering its servic- es to businesses and individuals alike. In 2019, the objective was to reduce business continuity risk and a number of measures were implemented which included the upgrading the authori- ty's server room, the setting up of an off-premises data continuity centre and increased electronic security. e Au- thority also continued to improve its eApplications system by ensuring that all types of applications are available through this portal. e Authority also started a scanning initiative as part of the Document Man- agement System Project, with the aim to digitise all non-digital PA applica- tions from 1968 to 2006. Furthermore, the Authority programmed a new app which increases the visibility of all types of planning applications. e number of planning applications received during 2019 decreased com- pared to the previous year. Although this is so, the Authority still received a significant volume of applications, re- quiring timely responses and contin- uous high levels of efficiency. In fact, development planning application de- cisions have been kept at a steady level since 2017. During the same year, the Authority received 160 and 207 applications relat- ed to Major projects and EU & Special Projects respectively. ese applications vary from large-scale retail establish- ments, industrial development, com- munity facilities, quarries and buildings for commercial use and tourism accom- modation. e Planning Authority saw a reduc- tion of almost 14% in ODZ applications during 2019, receiving 978 applica- tions. Furthermore, there was a slight decrease in the number of applica- tions within Urban Conservation Areas (UCA), compared to those received in 2018. A notable decrease was registered in the submission of regularisation appli- cations. Moreover, the Authority saw an in- crease in the number of Development Notification Order (DNO) applications, which remained a popular means for people to seek planning permission for certain types of works. is number has risen steadily over the past years, with 1603 applications last year alone. As a result, a new electronic consulta- tion system was introduced to facilitate the consultation process. is links the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, Transport Malta, the Environmental Resources Authority and the Planning Authority. It is an exemplary form of inter-governmental co-operation be- tween agencies and again shows the Planning Authority's commitment to move towards automation and business continuity. e Authority continued with its ini- tiative to provide incentives to protect and conserve streetscapes and resi- dences that define the cultural and her- itage value of our village cores. In col- laboration with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, the Authority sched- uled over 60 properties, most of them private residences. e third edition of the Irrestawra Darek Scheme was also launched with a €5 Million pledge to fund the restora- tion of private residences in our village cores. 560 applications were accepted each receiving up to €10,000 to carry out restoration works on the property's facade. rough a separate funding scheme, the Authority also financed the Mar- samxett Balcony Scheme, which was launched at the end of 2018 and closed in March 2019. is involved the main- tenance/restoration and replacement works related to traditional Maltese 'gallariji'. Moreover, 44 projects submitted by local councils and Non-Governmental Organisations were funded through the Development Planning Fund. is in- vestment went towards upgrading pub- lic gardens, recreational areas and new sports facilities. Making the best of EU Funds, the Au- thority concluded three main projects; a project on Integrated Coastal Zone Management, SintegraM project and the SimwestMed Project. In 2020, the Authority will continue working on 14 EU funded projects. ese projects range from spatial information, herit- age trails, ICT, blockchain and business continuity, healthy cities and smart cit- ies. For more information about the Au- thority's services and initiatives you may visit www.pa.org.mt.