A large number of residents and owners who wished to apply for the irrestawra darek scheme to restore their homes in conservation zones were left wanting as the Planning Authority scheme was "badly planned," the PN has said.

"Architects who had to submit applications in the name of their clients found the system closed after just a few minutes as the system was not planned to handle the number of applications."

In Parliament, the PN said that it was a PN government that had introduced such schemes, while expressing its agreement with such schemes. "Schemes like this are not only of help to owners to restore their properties, but also help to preserve the Maltese heritage," the statement read.

The PN expressed its disappointment that, even when knowing that the interest was going to be so large, the PA failed to plan and properly manage its system.

"It is the obligation of Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi to investigate this serious failure by the authority, to ensure that these failures don't repeat themselves and that the technological infrastructure is robust enough for such circumstances."

The PN hopes that the situation will be remedied.

The PN asked that a similar scheme be planned soon, with transparent and clear parameters and with an adequate system for filing applications.

It said that the PN should pay attention to the comments and suggestions made, including by the Chamber of Architects, and launch a scheme that would remain open, where once the applications exceed the funds allocated, they would be considered when new funds are allocated.