Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1485686
10 COMMERCIAL 24.11.2022 A large idle open space next to a clus- ter of social housing blocks in Triq il-Palazz l-Aħmar, Santa Venera has been transformed into a recreational area. e project, financed through the Planning Authority (PA)'s Develop- ment Planning Fund was inaugurated by the Minister for Public Works and Planning Dr Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi and Minister for Social and Affordable Accommodation Mr Roderick Galdes in the presence of PA Chairperson Mr Martin Saliba and the Santa Venera Mayor Mr Stephen Sultana. Works included the installation of outdoor furniture, modern and safe playing equipment, a CCTV security system, a new lighting system, outdoor gym equipment and the planting of trees. Both the area and the equipment that has been installed is accessible for all including persons with disabilities. Mr Martin Saliba, Executive Chair- person of the Planning Authority said "is project, will improve the well-known residential area of Pala- zz l-Aħmar on the periphery of Santa Venera and will certainly improve the quality of life and living environment of residents living in and around this urban area. People are not only look- ing for more open spaces within their locality. Open spaces must have the infrastructure to help us improve the residential amenity." e Minister for Public Works and Planning, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi ex- plained how the locality of Santa Ven- era benefited from around €300,000 from the Planning Authority in order to carry out various work in a recrea- tional space that can now be enjoyed by children. e Minister stated how through the Planning Authority, the Local Councils are benefiting from the Development Planning Fund in order to carry out projects in various localities around Malta and Gozo. Minister for Social and Affordable Accommodation Mr Roderick Galdes said, "With an investment of around €75,000 from the Housing Authority, we are giving back to the communi- ty of Santa Venera, a place of recrea- tion for families and their children, a place where children can get away from technology which we know often has a negative effect." Mr Galdes add- ed that "is commitment to improve the quality of such areas continues to confirm that social accommodation is bringing added value to the localities that are hosting it." Over the past 12 months the PA through its Development Planning Fund granted €4.6 million for 32 com- munity and urban improvement pro- jects in various localities. Such projects include the upgrading of Ġnien Saver Zarb in St. Julians, new local council administrative offices for the Attard Local Council, the restora- tion of various historic street niches around Sliema and the reconstruction of Tal-Għaqba Windmill in Naxxar. PA funds turn idle open space into a new recreational area in Santa Venera