Part of the Citadel’s cathedral and the façade of the neighbouring law courts are to be restored through a recently approved planning permit.

Granted last week, the permit is an important step in a government-funded project that will give a much-needed facelift to the tiny walled city in Gozo.

A planning commission unanimously approved the restoration of the side façade of law courts in Triq iż-Żenqa, the side façade of the cathedral facing Triq il-Fosos, the façade of the cathedral vestry and chapter hall.

It also includes restoring the paving of enceinte – an enclosure of a fortified place – in Triq Żahra and Triq Kwartier San Martin.

The restoration works were “favourably considered” by the case officer as these fell in line with the policies of an urban conservation area – especially those promoting the restoration of listed buildings to enhance the appearance of streetscapes.

The method statement of the restoration works were also approved by the Heritage Planning Unit and Superintendence of Cultural Heritage.

The restoration forms part of a €400,000 contract for an EU-funded project to restore the façades of Gozo’s law courts, the Governor’s Palace, Old Prison, National History and Folklore museums among others.

The full round of the Citadel bastions were recently restored through another project jointly funded by the EU.

This included work on the fortification walls, which were in urgent need of repair and restoration, as well as consolidation of the underlying bedrock that was posing a threat to the stability of the fortifications.