ESG Radio Broadcast 3^rd July 2014 

Key Words: Heritage, Budget, Energy, Power Stn and Fuel, Complaint details for air pollution

Today we look ahead to the main planning meeting for CUTW that will take place towards the end of August to be held at the recently refurbished Main Guard of the Heritage Trust headquarters, a partner of CUTW Gibraltar. Team leaders and key partners will be advised of exact dates and times and we hope to be distributing posters with more information around Gibraltar over the next few weeks. We are calling for volunteers to please sign up by contacting 54960000 or emailing esg@gibtelecom.net. We expect 2014 to be a year to remember as the campaign will this year be multilayered seeing electric car rallies, workshops, exhibitions, parades and the all important clean up of our green and coastal areas. It’s a fascinating campaign that globally inspires millions to sign up! Hope you will too!

Of course this week many minds have been focused on the Budget –carrying significance to many in terms of their lives, impacts, and future prospects. As citizens we can see a combination of measures proposed for our community but as an environmental NGO we must restrict ourselves to commenting only on environmental measures. This, however, is no easy task as everyone, from the Chief Minister down, is declaring measures from their ministerial budget that has significance for our environment. So there is a lot to take in, assimilate, and although we have expressed a few words here and there in the media will be making our own overview of how we see this budget improves environmental conditions and therefore, our quality of life on the Rock.

Some measures such as on renewable energy are greatly welcomed, we want more, and faster, but recognise that effort and investment is now underway and this is great news for our community and for the environment.

The new power station is a clear major project for Gibraltar, and both Governments have reserved their right as ultimate custodians of our purse and decision making process, to take a considerable time before making a decision on the critical matter of providing safe, reliable and environmentally responsible energy source for Gibraltar.

Gibraltar has limped along, choking and spluttering its way on an increasingly unreliable and filthy system that seriously affects those unfortunate enough to be living alongside. So, yes, we welcome the decision having being made, and the fact that it will be virtually emission free, more efficient, following highest environmental standards etc. But we haven’t yet seen any technical specs to fully appreciate how it will meet these aims. We shall be releasing our own review as our members would expect us to as soon as we have sight of the technical documentation.

On other matters we wait to hear more about transport policy, about sewage, about cross border issues. As advised, we shall make a study on how the current budget measures meets our own wish list; published online and available on our website at:  esg-gib.net.

Finally and to clarify, for those experiencing air and or noise pollution you must contact the environmental officer on duty if outside office hours and make a report whilst the pollution is occurring. If it’s bad enough to wake you up, don’t feel bad about making the call. If you make the call and still feel frustrated that you are not getting any satisfaction, please call us and we shall follow up the matter for you. In any case, copy us in on any report/complaint that you file.

Report first to: 200-70620 daytime number (on summer hours)

After hours call 200-72500 and ask for Env Officer on duty.

Email: admin@environmental-agency.gi your complaint in writing and copy us at esg@gibtelecom.net

Wishing you a pollution free summer time. Thanks for listening.

ESG Radio Newsletter 12^th June 2014

Key Terms: Commonwealth Park, Renewable Energy Project, Eco Wave, National Day Balloons, Improved NW Monitoring

At today’s formal opening of the Commonwealth Park, it was at last possible to get a real sense of how truly pleasant it will be to spend time there.  The open water and new trees planted in this part of our city will be a great bonus in the hot summer months and is seen as a very positive Government investment and community resource. The ESG urges the general public to help keep the park clean and to take pride in what is one of hopefully further green areas to appear in our urban environment.

The ESG is also delighted to see the first renewable energy project to be formally established on the Rock with a contract signed by Government this week for Eco Wave technology. The group is aware of this particular system and endorses and supports Government’s decision in this commission. The group further wishes this pilot study every success and hopes it heralds the significant beginnings of Gibraltar’s trajectory towards greater alternative energy use away from fossil fuel reliance.

We wanted to raise the issue of National day balloons because it is of concern to our group and has been raised in the wider community. We have also discussed this a number of times with government in the past.

The “biodegradability factor” of these balloons does not make them any less harmful at the immediate stage and breakdown can be indefinitely delayed in different environments. The ESG urges Government, who last year indicated that research into alternatives would take place, to take the significant, yet simple step, of cancelling the annual balloon release and replace these balloons with an alternative symbolic expression of our identity that does not involve damage to the environment.

The ESG supports the views of Blue Planet Society and other international environmental organisations that are working to protect our living environment. So please, government, not in our name.

Moving on to recent waves of pollution experienced by a number of residents in the NW of Gibraltar. While reports have been made and investigated by relevant agencies the fact that these sweeping fumes are once again occurring with some regularity strengthens the need for improved monitoring to be done in this densely populated area. This would assist in targeting and identifying sources of the pollution with a view to eliminating these from the residential zones.

Finally a reminder that Clean up the World is currently being organised and the ESG will be following its outreach programme to engage the community widely. Key date is 20^th September although exhibitions, workshops and other activity will be taking place for a week around this key date. More information will be posted on our new website which is being developed especially for the tenth Clean up Campaign but for now, you can get more information about our work at esg-gib.net. Email us at esg@gibtelecom.net . Thanks for listening.

ESG Radio Newsletter – 29^th May 2014

Key Words: DPC, Mobile Masts, Victoria Stadium, Europort Road, Sullage Treatment, South District Pollution, Solar Freakin’ Highways and Clean up the World

– Yesterdays’ DPC meeting touched on a number of issues we are working on at present, and so is a good way to start our newsletter today.  Once again mobile phone masts appeared on the agenda though these were the subject of deferment based on the need for their relocation. Our group intends to develop our own public awareness programme and will be launching this soon. We remind members and listeners concerned or interested in masts and related technology, to visit our facebook page dedicated to this issue where you can comment and send questions etc. It’s at Mobile Phone Mast Concern Gibraltar. You can read various articles and see videos posted produced by a number of respected experts in this field. We should like to make clear that we are not opposed to the mobile phone itself; simply to inform ourselves of personal use health factors and raise the issue of regulation of the supporting networks to be of the highest standards possible, and as already being followed by a growing number of countries.

– The ESG raised questions on the Victoria Stadium agenda item – this described an extension to the main stand to accommodate UEFA upgrade requirements and was presented as a GOG project.  We called for clarification as to whether this was for the purposes of acquiring a full blown Category 3 stadium at Victoria, and therefore part of an ongoing process – The project before the DPC yesterday only included changes to accommodate VIPs, media, medical unit, etc. Additional seating, also required to meet UEFA rules, was not being discussed here.  The ESG was told the DPC could only assess this upgrade on planning terms and that further information should be sought from Government itself. We are now following this up.

– The previously contentious development at Europort Road, that drew much public protest a few years back, when the application was for a multi-story data centre, has come up again, but this time as a five story office block that will have a much smaller impact on the surrounding area. Nevertheless there were objections strongly expressed at the meeting by affected residents and a decision is deferred subject to site visits etc.

– Following the Sullage treatment story we are confident that Nature Group will not be able to secure permission in future for treatment of waste at its site, as the company confidently announced publicly to a stock exchange in London, for the benefit of its shareholders. For full details on this matter so far, please visit our website: esg-gib.net, and click on news.

– The ESG has held a meeting with the Minister for the Environment where we raised the issue of south district air pollution. We are told that it should only be a matter of a few more weeks before the temporary generators are fully optimised to allow full or partial closure of the aging stations at Rosia Road, thereby improving air quality in the south once again.

There are so many fascinating items of environmental interest available via the Internet and on social media. One such example which demonstrates the ingenuity of our species and how indeed, one day, we could solve our energy and pollution problems was presented to us just the other day –its about “Solar Freakin’ Highways’!! Please – Check it out. Passive solar collection using existing infrastructure with very clever simple technology – perhaps a great project for Gibraltar to embark on and showcase to the rest of the world!! We have had quite a lot of feedback on this one – please send us your thoughts – could this be the system to transform modern cities and finally remove the pervading pollution we consider synonymous with progress?? We urge our own Government to look at this system very carefully. Just google Solar Freakin Highways..

Volunteer teams for Clean up the World are invited to now please sign up. Best to email esg@gibtelecom.net with contact name and details, team size and general fitness. We shall respond to you quickly advising the next steps. Individuals are also welcome to volunteer. The key date is the 20^th September, which is a Saturday, although there are plans this year to hold a CUTW week as from the 17^th September that will incorporate a full, varied programme and hopefully attract public interest.  More details soon.     Thanks for listening…

ESG Press Release  – 19^th May 2014

Nature Group –  Storage or Treatment?

The ESG would like to express its surprise at the news published in the media recently, that Nature Group intends to gain permission to resume treatment at its Sullage Plant site at the Western Arm.

The ESG sits on the Development and Planning Commission, where, only three weeks ago, and after lengthy discussions, the said company was able to get its application through only on the strictest assurance that this would be for storage purposes only.

The Minister for the Environment abstained, the ESG objected and the Department of the Environment made plain its advice that approval should be strictly for storage purposes only. The Town Planner recommended approval to storage only among a number of other conditions.

The ESG considers the public statement made by Nature Group chairman, challenges the mandate given to the company by the DPC. The categorical assurances given by all company representatives at the DPC meeting made it clear it would not be treating waste at their rebuilt site. The fact is that had Nature Group been clear of its intention to resume treatment onsite in future, it would not have received approval.

The ESG asks what are the implications, if any, for the permission obtained by Nature given its very public statement to suggest its real plans for the future.

The ESG notes that Nature continues to serve its own interests by also calling in claims from the Gibraltar Government for recent works. However, the ESG would like to issue a reminder that a local court case over culpability on the explosion at its site on Western Arm remains unresolved, as is, compensation to the family who tragically lost a young father working at this site.

(article referred to front page in the Gibraltar Chronicle  as per extract attached)

1. Extract from Chronicle article dated 9^th May 2014 – of Nature at work at London’s AIM stock exchange

“NATURE CLAIMS OVER GOVT DREDGING CONTRACT AS BLAST INSURERS PAY OUT    by Brian Reyes

Nature Group has reached an insurance settlement of £1.35m for material damage and business interruption caused by the explosion at its North Mole storage facility in May 2011.

The claim had been initially knocked back by the underwriters but was finally settled after extensive negotiations.

The figure was detailed in a 2013 results statement to the London AIM stock exchange yesterday, in which the company also pointed toward long-term plans to seek agreement to renew treatment operations once its terminal is rebuilt.

Nature received planning permission to rebuild the site last April, but the approval was for storage only. “Our recommendation [to the Development and Planning Commission] to establish a Liaison Committee to monitor our activities is likely to be adopted and we anticipate an early agenda item will be to seek agreement to initiate treatment, after the storage area of the plant has been rebuilt and commissioned which is anticipated to take 12 months,” said Nature Group chairman Nigel Sandy in a statement.

Kieron Becerra, Nature’s locally-based chief financial officer, told the Chronicle the company had worked to establish a positive rapport with the Gibraltar Government following the explosion.

He said the aim was to ensure officials and the community understood Nature’s business – the group’s facilities collect and recycle oily ship waste, a requirement for all EU ports under international law – and were reassured about its safety standards.”

(NB. ESG highlight and underline)

ESG Radio Newsletter 15/5/14 – In today’s newsletter we would like to reflect on a number of environmental issues, which have occupied our team in recent times.

Key Terms:  WHO report findings, Epidemiological studies, Fuel of choice (Gas and Diesel), Accidents, Mobile Phone Masts

This week we were interviewed on a press release we issued over the WHO report findings, which highlight La Linea as having the worst air quality in the whole of Spain. Clearly this is a matter of concern with this town being the closest to Gibraltar. The ESG has invested much of its time and energies over the years towards seeking action from the European Commission to tackle the gross levels of pollution produced by the giant chemical plants in San Roque and Los Barrios, with the CEPSA Oil Refinery industry especially in mind. There have been a number of authoritative reports published from the health sector in Spain citing concerns over the abnormally high levels of mortality and disease in the Bay’s localities, ranging from La Linea through to Algeciras.

Such reports have led our group in recent years to lobby at EC level with likeminded NGOs from both sides of the border, to address breaches of compliance of environmental regulations by chemical industries in the area and to insist upon rigorous, transparent, cross border epidemiological studies. While our MEPs strive for our votes next week, and in spite of the efforts made by a specific few, the ESG must voice its frustration with a system that sets out such detailed environmental legislation, which is poorly policed in practice.

On the local front we consider the WHO report highlights the need for additional, real-time monitoring to be set up in the north western zone of Gibraltar to properly measure the levels of pollution from the numerous local and cross border sources. You can find our full press statement on this issue on our website: esg-gib.net.

There has been some debate in the local media by Government and the opposition over the fuel of choice and location for the new power station for Gibraltar. The ESG had supported the previous plans for Lathbury at the time, because, and in spite of the impact on our landscape which we also value, the ongoing impact on the health and quality of life on thousands of Gibraltarians was at stake and Lathbury afforded respite to peoples suffering – indeed the EIA at the time confirmed a drop of over 90% of harmful pollutants would be immediately achieved with the decommissioning of all three power stations. The same EIA expressed ‘safety and reliability of supply’ issues to exclude natural liquid gas for Gibraltar. Our group has had opportunity to discuss this at several mtgs with Govt but we have not yet seen any details of assessments made to have altered the ‘diesel only option’ to that of diesel and natural liquid gas. In light of the recent accident at one of our power plants and ongoing debate among political parties on grounds of safety and location, we hope that Government will release technical studies on the matter as soon as possible and allow facts and transparency to form the real debate. We also hope that the new temporary turbines will allow early closure of the stations at Rosia Road, which are once again producing very high levels of pollution in the south district.

Finally, an issue, which has been on our agenda since the last DPC mtg, is that of Mobile Phone Masts. Several concerned citizens have contacted us after learning, many for the first time, of news that masts are going up in their neighbourhood. At the DPC mtg the ESG highlighted this lack of adequate public consultation and our own misgivings over the present approach to the installation of masts throughout Gibraltar. We have had discussions with Government and Gibtelecom as a key operator over the past few years. There is now a Govt Mast Policy, which addresses some of our concerns, but we believe there is much more to be done and we are deliberating our next steps as we seek to raise further awareness in the community on issues of best practice, the precautionary principle and in the wise use of electronic equipment today. The ESG runs a separate Facebook page with information on this issue and where you can send in any questions or comments. You can find this at:  Mobile Phone Mast Concern Gibraltar. Thanks for listening.

 La Linea Pollution and WHO Report

Key terms:-   Pollution, Industry, Health reports, Gib  Monitoring, Environmental Agency

“The ESG wishes to react to the WHO report claiming La Linea has the worst air quality in all of Spain. The industrial base located in the centre of the Bay has been producing lethal levels of toxic emissions for over forty years so it can be no surprise that background levels of air quality in La Linea are extremely poor. The ESG has campaigned at EC level for many years against the harmful emissions from the petrochemical industry precisely because of the heavy impact these can have on health and on the living environment. A number of the large industries located in the Bay have enjoyed protection from complying with modern environmental legislation due to a legal loophole known as the Grandfather Clause. However, this is now over but it is clear that pollution levels continue to be very high.

In the meantime there have been a growing number of reports produced by Spanish Health authorities and Universities confirming the strong links between health and mortality, and chronic, chemical pollution exposure. While there have been some improvements in the pollution levels from the refinery and other plants, these dirty, chemical giants will always produce harmful emissions especially when allowed to operate past their sell by date. One asks if the World Health Organisation report will achieve any change in the status quo and long-term inaction?

The report also raises important questions for Gibraltar:-

If La Linea is registering such dire levels, should we not explore our own air quality near the border area? We presently have real-time monitors in Rosia Road, Witham’s’ and at Bleak House. The ESG has called for an additional real-time monitor to be placed in the northwestern region of Gibraltar given the increase in the residential spread and growth of industry. It also happens to be the closest zone to both La Linea and to the Oil Refinery and associated industry in San Roque.

The ESG also hopes the Gibraltar Air Quality website (gibraltarairquality.gi) will soon provide real-time information on PM 2.5’s and additional information on PM 10’s produced from power station emissions and traffic fumes, given the impact these are known to have on our health. “

Report from Environmental Agency – GIB LEVELS ‘NOT MAJOR PROBLEM’

Air quality in Gibraltar is not considered a “massive problem” with levels of pollution being within “normal ranges”, said the Environmental Agency.

However, the main issue we do have relates to emissions from the generating stations, something that will reduce considerably when the new generating stations are fired up. 

The Environmental Agency has various monitoring stations around Gibraltar, which perform continuous sampling of the air, and passive readings are performed once a month. These readings are sent to the UK for analysis.)

ESG Press Release – 25^th April 2014

Power Generation – Recent accident

Recent accident at the Waterport GibElec Plant prompted the following statement from the ESG:- 

The ESG is concerned about the ongoing delays caused by the absence of, as yet, a fully compliant, modern power station using best available technology and standards. While GoG, may have delayed the original project with its best intentions, it is clear that the current infrastructure and available equipment cannot support energy demands for much longer. Witness Monday’s heavy and persistent white smoke emanating from the OESCO plant in the south district, giving testimony to the ‘unfit for purpose’ range of power generation available today, outside of the new temporary, turbines based at the North Mole.
It is positive to hear that further interim measures are being taken – i.e. with the provision of additional, portable generators. However, these will produce their own quota of air and noise pollution and ideally should be sited away from residential areas.

The ESG has campaigned for a decade and a half for a new power station, to eliminate the intolerable levels of pollution residents of the south and northwest residential areas are subjected to. We have seen pollution at these sites grow as energy demand grows and therefore the new, replacement power station becomes an ever more urgent and top priority.

The interim measures taken by the Gibraltar Government to lower pollutant levels in the south district with the recent closure of OESCO plant had brought some relief to that area, although the use of the decrepit ISGS station (ex MoD) next to it provided more than its fair share of air and noise pollution. These measures are now over as these stations try and pick up the energy draw which is usually supplied by GibElec Station, which as far as the ESG understands, remains closed. Monday afternoon saw residents in the south once again subjected to high levels of choking smoke pollution (for approximately two hours), as the ageing stations struggled to respond to the emergency situation of filling the energy gap.

However the authorities try to mitigate and address this issue, the tender for the new replacement power station must be awarded without further delay. This latest incident acts as a reminder that industrial accidents can and do happen.

Apart from the immediate danger of the fire or explosion, the associated toxic smoke produced, can heavily impact the surrounding area and is a health and safety hazard in its own right. It is hoped that more lessons will have been learnt from this latest incident as Gibraltar heads towards the imminent construction of the next generation power station at the North Mole.

The group would like to add its thanks to the professional response of all emergency services and to Radio Gibraltar and the GBC, for providing real-time updates and information.

“The ESG believes that Gibraltar must focus on the fundamental projects of getting our basic workings and sustainable footprint in order before we continue with a considerable plan of development and expansion”, said a spokesperson, “These should be on energy generation – including renewable energy; waste management with all that this entails – including the necessary provision of suitable land and other resources; and a modern and compliant sewer plant.”

ESG Radio Broadcast

Key Words: DPC and Stadium, Sullage Tank Farm, Masts, Caleta Hotel, World Trade Centre, Commonwealth Park

It would be difficult to have a newsletter today and not refer to the outcome of various significant events of last week. I am talking, of course, about the proposed Stadium at Europa Point and the green light awarded by DPC to Nature Company plc to proceed in its efforts to resume its operation at the North Mole. For the stadium there was an unprecedented level of public participation in what is now, a transparent process in terms of DPC evaluating applications. It was most welcome to hear, as an NGO working for many years to protect and cherish our living environment, such heartfelt and impassioned objections made by several campaign representatives, on the need to preserve a valued open area. Many points were also made on the practical concerns against Europa Pt as best choice for a large stadium as that proposed. The subsequent media statements on detailed evaluations and analysis that the GFA will now undertake on all possible sites is also welcome and hopefully will yield actual potential alternatives to Europa Point. A meaningless task if not one single alternative is identified. We believe all sites should be given a thorough review including the latest proposed at the Dockyard site.

We continue to harbour several concerns as per our published press release on the environmental impacts such a project would have at Europa Point, and for those of you who may have missed this kindly note you can find this on our website at: esg-gib.net.

Another issue that sadly did not receive similar public participation and was somewhat overshadowed by the stadium campaign, was the Sullage Tank Farm application. This project stands to impact the environment somewhat differently, but nevertheless, poses a potential threat to the quality of life and well being of many hundreds of residents on the Rock. The ESG objected to this at the DPC mtg on the grounds of the threat of new pollution in the area, and because the company itself is facing court proceedings due to the accident that occurred on site three years ago which saw the loss of a life, several injuries and extreme pollution. We believe that until this case is resolved and full culpability attributed, and rightful compensation awarded to the family of the contract worker, that it is premature for the company to be allowed to operate once again.

Although the court case is outside the remit of the DPC it is not so of Government, that now has to consider issuing a new operating licence to this company. We shall be monitoring this closely.

The DPC will be considering projects in the near future such as new plans for the widespread installation of mobile phone masts, the Caleta Hotel, as well as the World Trade Centre, among others. Be sure to check out the DPC agenda page on the Town Planning site to keep informed!

The emergence of a green area in the heart of town is very positive to see as Commonwealth Park reaches its final stages. We hope that additional green spaces, trees and green roofs will also be incorporated into other concrete jungle developments in Gibraltar breathing life into the areas and combatting the effects of air pollution, while also providing much needed shade.

Check out our website at esg-gib.net, email us at esg@gibtelecom.net or contact us at 200-48996 or mobile 54960000

ESG Radio Newsletter –

Key Words:- Development and Planning, Capt of the Port departure, The Marriott Hotel, Football Stadium, CUTW

We’d like to run through a number of issues we have recently focused on as we believe these are of public interest.

When talking about development its possibly helpful to you to note down upcoming Dev and planning meetings as there are an unusual number of these coming up over the next few weeks. Five in fact, between now and the end of April. This is because apart from the usual high number of moderately sized applications there are also a few large-scale proposals, which take up a lot of time and discussion at these sessions. So, notebook ready?

OK, General meetings will be held on the 18^th March at the later time of 10.30am, and then on the 27^th March and 24^th April at the usual time of 9.30am.

For the Mariott Hotel application, this will see a focused DPC session at 3.30pm on the 21^st March. The final one to mention here is the Football Stadium presentation that will take place on the 8^th April, also at 9.30am. This info will also be posted on our website as from tomorrow. As per, Town Planning will post agendas for all mtgs a week beforehand accessible by the public from their website. All meetings to be held at the John Mack Hall. Please contact us if you have any queries or need more information.

This week the ESG has released two press statements – one relates to the announcement made in the media of the decision by the Captain of the Port, Captain Roy Stanbrook, to leave Gibraltar. This is in the midst, as many of us are aware, of a growing number of major developments occurring within and in close proximity to the Port, and of the actual relocation of much of the Ports administration and offices to the Retrenchment Block area. Clearly a steady and experienced Captain is needed to oversee and manage these projects which come within the Ports authority, and it is therefore seen as a huge loss to Gibraltar that his decision to leave has come at the present time. We have, and continue to publicly call for a holistic plan for the port area as best planning practices demand. We take this opportunity to thank Captain Stanbrook for his help and co-operation whenever we have sought it and wish him all the best.

The other issue is the football stadium which carries significant public interest. We have welcomed the project directors efforts to provide information of the proposed stadium, and at the proposed site- the reason why we have made our views public is that there is a strong perception within the community that this is a fait accomplait – a done deal – if only because this is the only site that is understood to have been made available by Govt. as landlords. We believe there are considerable environmental impacts from the proposed location at Europa Point and call for all options to be assessed for suitability and environmental implications before any further decisions are taken.  For a closer look at our environmental concerns please visit our website at esg-gib.net for the full article. Also a reminder that the DPC will be meeting to consider this proposal on the 8^th April at 9.30am. GBC will also be holding a Viewpoint programme next Thursday 20^th March to discuss this issue. Promises to be lively and we call upon all those interested to phone or email in to GBC and ensure the widespread public feeling on this issue is reflected.

That’s it for now – we shall have a CUTW special in two weeks time, be sure to catch it! This year’s key date is the 20^th September, celebrating our tenth year of clean up action on the Rock!

Visit our website which also publishes our radio broadcasts and all press releases – here it is again esg-gib.net – you can email us on esg@gibtelecom.net or call us on 200-48996 or 54960000 and we shall be happy to take your queries.

ESG Press Release on Europa Point and Football Stadium   11^th March 2014

Key elements – Landscape – Carbon Footprint – Traffic issues – Community Amenity – Tourist Value – Renewable Energy – Sewage Treatment Plant – Impact on UNESCO bid – Alternative Site –

The ESG has also studied plans for the proposed football stadium at Europa Point and considers it to be a far from ideal location.  In environmental terms, the stadium would radically transform an open, peaceful area important for both tourism and the local community. This brutal conversion cannot, in our view, be softened by any redesign. The group also agrees with the Heritage Trust and the many voices from our community, that another site must be found.

Apart from the impact on the special landscape at Europa, the matter of mobilising thousands of people to and from the border right across Gibraltar, using our already busy roads raises serious concerns. Several key roads would need to be closed for long periods on a match day and the knock-on effects on other road systems would be significant. Add to this an unpredictable border and these suddenly become important issues that will have a major bearing on whether the logistics, however well planned, are executable.  The pollution created by the large numbers of large diesel buses would be highly problematic, particularly within the Dudley Ward tunnel system.

Moving on to the actual stadium the ESG is also concerned about its carbon footprint, during construction and once operational. Water consumption alone will be significant, especially if real grass is to be used. The group also urges that rainwater collection and renewable energy technology is built into the basic design to meet the stadiums energy requirements and to offset part of its footprint created by the high volume of fresh water needed to support the grassy terrain.

Europa Point will also see a Sewage Treatment Plant built near the Mosque that could produce some smell, however well controlled. The two GSM antennae currently placed at the furthermost point near the lighthouse would require moving with these possibly relocated to the top of the new stadium, potentially causing health and safety concerns.

Another matter for consideration is how a large stadium such as that proposed will impact on the special coastal area contained within the UNESCO bid. This includes Gorham’s Cave.

The ESG understands the heavy weather conditions at Europa Point are influencing the design of the proposed stadium as well as the materials that can be used. As well as the sea spray and intense sunshine there is always a constant strong breeze/winds prevalent in the area. Littering associated with large-scale events poses a significant environmental hazard by way of lightweight rubbish being blown into the surrounding seas.

There is insufficient information as to why alternative sites such as the Victoria Stadium, or the East Side reclamation cannot be used instead. It is hoped that the East Side location will be given the utmost consideration, as it is widely believed to meet the needs of a new football stadium. Even though there will likely be an additional time period involved before completion, if the east side replaces Europa Point, the benefits to Gibraltar as a whole are very significant and worth the wait. The ESG believes the GFA should be offered a design based on this site. An alternative “home” stadium in Portugal would need to be implemented during this interim period.

The ESG hopes that as landlords, the Gibraltar Government, will respond to the many concerns raised by the ESG and others in the community and agrees to offer the GFA an alternative site.