The facade of a number of shop-fronts along Ta’ Liesse Hill in Valletta, once one of the city's busiest commercial spots, will be restored after the Planning Commission approved planning permission for the works to be carried out.

The Planning Authority said on Monday the restoration project was part of a wider initiative to regenerate the area close to the Victoria Gate and make it more appealing for tourists visiting the capital.

"The façade of these buildings are in dire need of restoration and are suffering from deteriorated and damaged stonework, black crust, biological growth and missing architectural elements. The works which will be carried out under the auspices of the Malta Tourism Authority will see these historical buildings regain their character and charm," the PA said. 

When Valletta was built, Ta’ Liesse Hill was one of the only three access points into Valletta. Under the British reign, Porta Del Monte, which was a single arch gate was considered too small to cope with the amount of activity in and out of Valletta from the Grand Harbour area.

In 1885, a wider gate designed by Architect Emmanuele Luigi Galizia replaced Porta del Monte for what we know today as Victoria Gate.

Meanwhile, the Planning Commission also gave its thumbs-up on Monday for the upgrading and restoration of a number of streets that surround the old Civil Abattoir which is currently being rehabilitated, embellished and transformed into a Design Cluster.

Both planning permissions include an approved restoration method statement which was endorsed by the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage. The Planning Authority’s conservation officers will monitor the restoration works.