Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1499757
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 MAY 2023 8 COMMERCIAL Restore the village core, with the relaunch of the Planning Authority's Irrestawra Darek grant scheme The popular Planning Authority (PA) Scheme that covers the restoration costs of property façades in Urban Conservation Areas returns later this month. Here the PA's Peter Gingell explains how the Grant Scheme helps safeguard Malta's architectural heritage. DISTINCTLY Maltese, Mal- ta's town and village cores – otherwise known as 'Urban Conservation Areas' (UCAs) – form an integral part of the island's architectural heritage. Through the Irrestawra Darek scheme, the Planning Authori- ty has, in recent years, invest- ed around €27 million to ena- ble private homeowners with a property in a UCA or sched- uled as Grade 1 or 2 to carry out maintenance and restora- tion works to their façades. "In most cases, these village core areas have narrow streets and a considerable traffic flows, which accelerates the deteri- oration of the historic fabric of the buildings within them," explains Peter Gingell at the PA. "We recognised the need for investment in the regen- eration of the façades of UCA residential buildings and of Grade 1 and Grade 2 scheduled buildings, because it's critical to conserve Malta's built herit- age for today's community and future generations." Eligible for works on the building façade specifically, the scheme covers related restora- tion and maintenance costs in- cluding specialist cleaning, the repair or replacement of doors and apertures, the repair or re- placement of traditional tim- ber, masonry or wrought iron balconies, the replacement of aluminium with traditional material, painting or rendering works, re-pointing, and resto- ration works on masonry, tim- ber and wrought iron. For the relaunch of its Irrest- awra Darek Grant Scheme in 2023, the PA has ensured its total €5,000,000 investment is as beneficial to the public as ever, and is therefore covering 100% of the relevant costs. Of this amount, a total of €4,000,000 is available to pri- vate homeowners with residen- tial properties in a UCA, with costs per application capped at €10,000 for approved main- tenance or restoration and/ or replacement costs, as well as a capped maximum of €800 for professional fees (including periti fees) and a capped maxi- mum of €200 for Local Council permits fees. Meanwhile, the scheme's re- maining €1,000,000 is allocated to Grade 1 and Grade 2 sched- uled buildings. Here, success- ful applicants receive a grant capped at €15,000 for approved maintenance or restoration and/or replacement costs, like- wise receiving a capped maxi- mum of €800 for professional fees (including periti fees) and a capped maximum of €200 for Local Council permits fees. Properties ineligible for the scheme include those that properties that are not resi- dences, within a UCA or sched- uled; those that have already benefitted from any Planning Authority Restoration Grant Scheme since 2017; those cur- rently under an active enforce- ment notice; or any property less that 50 years old or with- out architectural value. Applicants to the scheme will have around three years to complete the restoration works, concludes Peter Gin- gell. "The 2023 Irrestawra Darek Grant Scheme is available on a first come, first served basis according to the availability of funds – so we recommend making the necessary prepara- tions on your eligible property early, such as engaging an ar- chitect, to ensure you can ap- ply as soon as the scheme of- ficially opens in late May," he says. More information about the Irrestawra Darek Scheme is available at www.pa.org.mt.