The Planning Authority has made almost €12 millon from the planning amnesty scheme since its launch in August 2016.

The controversial scheme allowed people to apply for sanctioning for planning illegalities against a fee. The scheme was widely criticised not only because it would allow for the regularisation of illegalities against payment but also because the fees were calculated according to the roof area of the property, not by the seriousness of the planning breach.

It excludes the regularisation of ODZ developments but includes illegalities carried out within the development zone – including urban conservation areas – carried out before 2016. 

Replying to a parliamentary question by PN MP Toni Bezzina, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg said the PA had collected €11,722,745 between the launch of the scheme and 8 January 2018.

The data provided by Minister Borg shows that the PA earned the highest amounts in April and May 2017, raking in €1.05 million and €1.07 million respectively.

Borg told Parliament that 70% of the funds collected, up to a maximum of €8 million, go towards the Irrestawra Darek scheme.

Under this scheme, first time private buyers of residential Grade 1 and Grade 2 scheduled buildings could apply for a rebate on 70% of eligible costs of restoration and conservation works on facade and interior up to a maximum of €100,000, whereas first time private buyers of an old residence located within Urban Conservation Areas (UCAs) could apply for a rebate of up to a maximum of €10,000. The scheme was oversubscribed.

Another 20%, Borg said, went in the Planning Gains fund, which is used by Local Councils on embellishment projects, and the remaining 10% cover administrative fees by the PA.

Borg also provided a breakdown of applications, year by year. The data shows that 554 applications were received between September and December 2016, 4,326 applications were received in 2017 and 208 applications were received between 1 and 8 January 2018, for a total of 5,088 applications.