The Planning Authority today signed agreements with three local councils to fund embellishment projects with money collected from developers.

It agreed to hand out €631,000 from the Urban Improvement Fund to the Swieqi, Birkirkara and Xaghra councils.

The fund is made up of money collected from development applicants who cannot fully cater for parking provisions as required by planning law.

Planning Authority chairman Vince Cassar told a press conference that the funds would be used for major upgrading works in the Birkirkara valley, the embellishment of FX Ebejer garden in Swieqi, and paving works around the Chapel of St Anthony the Abbot in Xaghra.

In Birkirkara, the project will include the installation of new street furniture, footpaths, decorative railings, street lighting and the upgrading of an existing garden.

In Xaghra, the funds will be used to install travertine steps and architectural external lighting along the chapel’s parvis and repaving works along the alley leading to the chapel. The chapel is one of the oldest in Gozo and had served as the first parish of Xaghra until 1692.

Meanwhile, FX Ebejer garden in Swieqi will see the installation of a timber gazebo, child sensory playing equipment, landscaping, entrance gates and new lighting.

The PA has signed agreements with 13 councils for similar projects so far this year, with an estimated cost of more than €1.2 million.