Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1238298
14 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 22 APRIL 2020 COMMERCIAL THE Planning Authority con- tinues to strive for technolog- ical advancement by investing in ICT to consistently deliver quality and timely service to its customers. Last year, the Authority's core business functions continued to become more automated. The strive towards extending teleworking capabilities amongst the Authority's workforce also started bearing the desired fruit. The ongoing COVID-19 pan- demic highlights how important the Authority's approach and implemention strategy taken over the past few years has been. The Authority has managed to continue offering its services 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 authority's server room, the setting up of an off-premises data continuity centre and increased electronic security. The Authority also continued to improve its eApplications system by ensuring that all types of applications are available through this portal. The Authority also started a scanning initiative as part of the Document Management System Project, with the aim to digitise all non-digital PA applications from 1968 to 2006. Furthermore, the Authority programmed a new app which increases the visibility of all types of planning applications. The number of planning ap- plications received during 2019 decreased compared to the pre- vious year. Although this is so, the Au- thority still received a significant volume of applications, requir- ing timely responses and contin- uous high levels of efficiency. In fact, development planning application decisions have been kept at a steady level since 2017. During the same year, the Au- thority received 160 and 207 ap- plications related to Major pro- jects and EU & Special Projects respectively. These applications vary from large-scale retail establishments, industrial development, com- munity facilities, quarries and buildings for commercial use and tourism accommodation. The Planning Authority saw a reduction of almost 14% in ODZ applications during 2019, receiv- ing 978 applications. Furthermore, there was a slight decrease in the number of appli- cations within Urban Conserva- tion Areas (UCA), compared to those received in 2018. A notable decrease was regis- tered in the submission of regu- larisation applications. Moreover, the Authority saw an increase in the number of Development Notification Or- der (DNO) applications, which remained a popular means for people to seek planning permis- sion for certain types of works. This number has risen steadily over the past years, with 1603 applications last year alone. As a result, a new electronic consultation system was intro- duced to facilitate the consulta- tion process. This links the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, Transport Malta, the Environmental Re- sources Authority and the Plan- ning Auth It is an exemplary form of in- ter-governmental co-operation between agencies and again shows the Planning Authority's commitment to move towards automation and business conti- nuity. The Authority continued with its initiative to provide incen- tives to protect and conserve streetscapes and residences that define the cultural and heritage value of our village cores. In collaboration with the Su- perintendence of Cultural Her- itage, the Authority scheduled over 60 properties, most of them private residences. The third edition of the Ir- restawra Darek Scheme was al- so launched with a €5 Million pledge to fund the restoration of private residences in our village cores. 560 applications were accepted each receiving up to €10,000 to carry out res- toration works on the proper- ty's facade. Through a separate funding scheme, the Authority also fi- nanced the Marsamxett Balcony Scheme, which was launched at the end of 2018 and closed in March 2019. This involved the mainte- nance/restoration and replace- ment works related to tradition- al Maltese 'gallariji'. Moreover, 44 projects sub- mitted by local councils and Non-Governmental Organisa- tions were funded through the Development Planning Fund. This investment went towards upgrading public gardens, rec- reational areas and new sports facilities. Making the best of EU Funds, the Authority concluded three main projects; a project on In- tegrated Coastal Zone Manage- ment, SintegraM project and the SimwestMed Project. In 2020, the Authority will continue working on 14 EU funded pro- jects. These projects range from spa- tial information, heritage trails, ICT, blockchain and business continuity, healthy cities and smart cities. More information about the Authority's services and ini- tiatives are available at www. pa.org.mt. 2019 for the Planning Authority