The beautiful but dilapidated Fort St Angelo will be restored and brought back to its former splendour through three conservation permits granted by the planning authority yesterday.

Built by the Knights of St John in the 16th century, the Vittoriosa fort has been largely closed off for a few years after areas became unsafe. However, the government recently managed to secure €13 million in EU funds to cover archaeological research, restoration works and the installation of specialised equipment to turn it into an experience.

Heritage Malta, which is responsible for the fort, was given the go-ahead by the planning authority board yesterday.

The first phaseincludes conservation works for the adaptive re-use of the middle level including the barrack blocks and cavalier. Historical features considered relevant to defining the fort and structures that were removed will be reconstructed.

This permit also includes a change of use for museum space, while the main piazza will be paved with flagstones.

During phase two, the restoration works will focus on the fort’s lower level including the ramparts, D’ Homedes Bastion and the area around the passageway leading down to De Guiral Battery.

Phase three will consolidate and conserve the outer fortifications and the underpinning and replacement of the missing rock faces, especially in the area overlooking Kalkara Creek and Menqa.

The project excludes the upper part, which is administered by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the areas being redeveloped by the Cottonera Waterfront Group.

The works will restore pre-1979 buildings, the year when the fort lost its military function.

Since the British left Malta, little attention has been given to its upkeep, leaving a large part vacated or under-utilised and in dire need of restoration.