ESG Radio Newsletter 29^th January 2015

Hi there-  the start of a year is always busy and 2015 is no different as we participate in the first ever Gib Talks, prepare to give a number of talks, and gear ourselves up for the upcoming election.

During our last newsletter we referred to this weeks DPC meeting which took place yesterday. Among the 30 or so applications were some that caught our interest, indeed some have already been reported in the local press. We would like to touch upon these as we consider them to be of public interest and impacting on our environment.

These are mobile phone antennaes, the open space next to prison car park, extensions at the Desalination Plant at Waterport Road and the scoping opinion on the Sewage Treatment Plant destined for the Brewery Crusher Site.

On the antennaes we continue to expect and press for the best standards and procedures to be followed when installing such equipment in Gibraltar while understanding the difficulty this may present. As advised at the DPC meeting yesterday during the discussion on the masts at Windmill Hill Road, we are seeking meetings with Gibtelecom to present to them directly our concerns and questions on this and on masts in other areas and will continue to follow this matter closely.

Another query we presented was on how the open space next to the New Prison–  presently used by locals and visitors to the Upper Rock, the Retreat etc. is now to be used to house businesses being relocated from the North Mole because of other needs there. The ESG considers this open space to be an important entry point to the Upper Rock Nature Reserve –it is also a buffer between the existing light industrial farm and the reserve and obviously serves as necessary parking facility for those wanting to walk in the Upper Rock. We hope the decision makers will take our concerns shared by some others on the commission on board- indeed the Ministers confirmed this was temporary relocation and that the points raised by the ESG and others would be carefully considered.

A positive agenda item was the scoping opinion for the planned Waste Water Treatment Plant, that’s a sewage plant to you and me. Long overdue and now undergoing the various stages of technical assessments. The ESG has been very happy to submit our recommendations as part of the DPC and is delighted to see that best practice in waste and energy management is being given very serious consideration.

Another item on the agenda of interest to us was the extension of the existing containerised reverse osmosis plant at Waterport Desalination Plant on North Mole Road. The ESG asked that more details be made available to the DPC regarding the scale, impact and screening that has been undertaken on this facility given its industrial nature and proximity to residential areas. A commitment was given by the Minister for the Environment that this information would be made available. More plans presented for projects intending to improve the Upper Town sensitively, and sustainably, were also very positively received. Such urban regeneration can only improve quality of life for those dwelling in the upper town.

And so it was, a remarkably brief DPC meeting, only three hours long this time!!

While Gibraltar begins to prepare for the next election, the ESG is also putting its final touches on our own Wish List and will lobby parties standing for election on how we would like to see Gibraltar move forward to improve our environment. Watch this space. Thanks for listening –please get in touch with any queries, comments or concerns. Our email: esg@gibtelecom.net, phone is 200-48996 and website is esg-gib.net.

Hello-

This will be our last 2014 broadcast…can’t quite believe another year has shot past…definitely encourages one to be philosophical and take stock of where we are.

The ESG has campaigned through the year on our objectives for a healthy and clean environment and looks ahead to 2015 determined to stay the course. Naturally anyone looking at our wish list can see that quite a few of our key goals are being met, even if in the process of, but this is positive and to be welcomed. Our role is to ensure that announcements are followed up with action and completion and so we shall continue to monitor the big issues that concern us such as Cross border pollution, Power Station and energy source, bunkering, waste oil management, transport and traffic, EMF – the invisible pollution, waste water treatment plant, renewable energy, use of Best Available Technology and Gibraltar’s meaningful action on Climate Change. After ten years of clean up we shall also be considering new ideas for this strong community campaign for 2015- watch this space!!

We shall also be reviewing the last Environmental Action and Management Plan issued under the present administration as there are delays in the implementation of a number of highly impacting activity which affects our quality of life and influences our performance on greenhouse gas emissions and therefore on Climate Change. The Transport Plan that will aim to modify vehicular use and promote alternative and clean mobility is yet to be published in spite of a number of public promises.

Nevertheless, the recent awarding of major contracts on the new Power Station and on the Sewage Plant is a clear sign of Government commitment – these will provide radical change in removing pollutants from our skies and seas and cannot come about too soon.

While Govts, civil servants and businesses have important roles to play on environmental issues, we, as individuals and families, could also look to 2015 to see how we can improve our own carbon footprint, wastefulness and habits. Perhaps a pledge at New Years to ramp up our recycling, we don’t need special containers to do this – to use less packaging at the stores, take our own bags, check labels for the most environmentally friendly option, and use energy friendly bulbs, could help improve Gibraltar’s performance too!

With the recent report published by the GHA advocating prevention rather than cure as the way forward for our community, what better than choosing to walk or part walk and bus your journeys whenever you can?

As the great work done by Nazareth House and the GBC Open Day this week demonstrates, our community is relatively affluent and generous in supporting those in need and work done by charities and NGOs. This affluence should also give us breathing space to consider our actions and make the green choice.

Have a great and peaceful Christmas and we would like to thank the community for its continued support of our work and objectives.

ESG Radio Newsletter 4^th December 2014

In a week that we learn that the world is on course for the hottest year ever in 2014, summits such as the one currently underway in Lima have gained a deepening sense of urgency around climate change negotiations.  The difficulty is that unless we make fundamental changes in the way we run our societies, the solutions are unlikely to come from such meetings.

Politicians need to protect jobs and growth, regardless – corporations widely believed to be the real decision makers are driven by profit, but not just from greed; also on the need to satisfy investment from shareholders.

One fears that the scale of the changes demanded to address climate change is so massive, that we shall need to hit a wall before rebuilding our communities on sustainable values, and sustainable industry. However, there are global campaigns out there offering new ideas on how we can make meaningful change, especially in the energy sector. One such campaign that caught our eye recently is called Fossil Free started by the 350 campaign.  The call is for divestment away from fossil fuel companies and this is attracting hundreds of churches, universities, pension funds, states and city councils around the world that have made the commitment to go fossil free.

So maybe, just maybe, there are practical steps we can take ourselves, within our modern society today, to push investment away from fossil fuels and towards renewables, and press governments also to realise that the time for continued subsidy and support for the fossil fuel industry is fast running out. Check out gofossilfree.org for news and updates of this campaign that will see a global day celebrated in February 2015.

Back to Gibraltar: 

Locally there are a few issues we would like to draw attention to:

The Oil Refinery in Spain has been polluting quite heavily recently during daylight hours and we are concerned that this pattern, largely absent during daytime in recent years, could once again become the norm, which is totally unacceptable. The ESG is taking this up with our MEPs and the European Commission. A new fuel farm planned for the Guadaranque area prompted a protest by Spanish environmental groups and families last weekend. They have had enough of toxic industry in their back yard and hope to stop the farm from going up. Wish them luck with that one.

In Gibraltar we appear to be gripped in a planning explosion where so many decisions and plans are going forward almost simultaneously for construction of large developments. Gibraltar is being transformed once again at a very fast pace and this is something that we, at the ESG, feel very uncomfortable with given the obvious impact this will have on our overall quality of life.

It is difficult to appreciate the value of any one project when the accumulated impact from building sites, noise and heavy construction traffic becomes part of our day-to-day lives. We are also concerned about the long-term impacts such dense development will have on our community. Gibraltar needs a holistic plan supported and clearly understood by the community, which then needs to be implemented by an independent DPC that can assess ALL applications on their individual merit.

We urge Government to release the long promised revised Town Planning Act for public feedback and comment. This is where, we have been told, we can make real changes in the planning process. So please lets have this out without further delay. Another publication avidly awaited is the Traffic and Transport Plan.

Finally we, at the ESG, together with Petitioner for beach users, Karen Everett, feel totally vindicated over the news that Spain has finally admitted to the European Commission that it has caused sewage pollution at Western Beach, including during the bathing season. We ask, what next? Only a month ago the petitions committee replied to campaigners that they still awaited clarification from Spain, then Gibraltar etc. before taking any further action.  Now this admission has been made officially we expect urgent steps taken by Spain to divert the raw sewage away from Western Beach and is managed by a suitable collecting system that will eliminate this 4 year long disgraceful pollution in this area. We shall of course, be following up on the official complaint we lodged with the European Commission a few years back.

Thanks for listening!

ESG on Western Beach Reclamation

The ESG would like to clarify its position on Western beach reclamation project brought before DPC at the last meeting.  Although media coverage confirmed our opposition to this large loss of coastal water, it did not detail the many well-considered reasons why. Given public interest and our own members calling for clarification of our position, we would like to make these views public as stated at the DPC meeting.

• The ESG would have expected the MoD, as key stakeholder affected by this project, and tasked with the responsibility of the safe running of our airport, to have been thoroughly consulted ahead of any DPC discussion

• Fact that if our airport was of civilian status only it would not be allowed to operate due to the nature of activity around and on the runway itself (therefore all new activity needs to be heavily scrutinized in this context)
• Airport security issues – although all involved do their best to manage and control activity around and through our airport today, this remains a very challenging situation already. Adding substantial use and increase of people and traffic movement right alongside the runway is increasing risk significantly; an issue that has to be studied at the highest level ensuring that we provide the safest flight scenario possible adhering to all International standards of safety and airport security
• The question is now being discussed about the need for a global sporting policy for Gibraltar’s community to include UEFA stadium, Victoria Stadium Complex and all other facilities to fully gauge not just demand, but what is actually deliverable in a place the size of Gibraltar where there are many other demands for land -(Education, Eco Park and many more)
• All studies show that this large reclamation will significantly impede water movement, flushing capacity and reduce water quality. This area is already badly contaminated and registering off the scale levels of sewage pollution outside of bathing season due to the so-called storm drain from La Linea carrying raw sewage from illegally connected pipework. In fact a second storm drain is going up as we speak at the old car park site in La Linea that will also enter Western Beach waters, worsening water quality further
• Unless these discharges from La Linea are tackled, a large reclamation at Western Beach will create greater concentration of contamination in the area. This will create strong odours perceptible by residents, “kiosk” users, and users from the proposed reclaimed area. Indeed all signs are that Western Beach is slowly being condemned to no future public use
• The fact that this reclamation signifies a major loss of coastal water and amenity important to many cannot be disregarded. The border difficulties have made such amenities all the more important as the majority of our community stay home in our time off. This infill also impacts on marine biodiversity and is in contrast to steps taken to improve/protect the environment by placing blocks to encourage marine life. The ESG would instead prefer to have the area cleaned up by finally seeing the La Linea discharge CLOSED and the gradual and sensitive expansion of the original programme for marine protection and conservation in the area that began with the dropping of the blocks

In summary:- The ESG ends by stating it does not have an “in principle” issue with sport development in Gibraltar. It is also clear that in this case, the area was earmarked for development for some time now. However, under the previous Government, the plans for this project were secret, behind closed doors and never sought public feedback or approval. With the new public planning system in place today Government will note that important projects like Western Reclamation will provoke reactions from across the community. In this case, widespread opposition on serious grounds of airport security, need for greater environmental protection, loss of an important amenity and actual exacerbation of pollution present at Western Beach. It is hoped that Government will take the time needed to reconsider this project and convene a series of high-level meetings to rethink this proposal in light of the key issues presented at the DPC by several parties.

ESG Radio Broadcast:

Key terms: Balloons – Nuclear Submarines – Bathing Water Quality – Bathing Pavilion – North Gorge – CUTW 2014

• ON BALLOONS – Further to National Day and the release of thousands of environmentally damaging balloons to demonstrate our national pride in Gibraltar. The ESG reiterates its concerns about the impact of this practice also expressed by the Blue Planet and many of our citizens. The group does not suggest there should be no visual display, rather that alternatives should be found. Gibraltar wants to be seen as a responsible environmental player and releasing thousands of pieces of latex into the surrounding marine environment goes against that aspiration. The group urges Government to act quickly on this issue 

• ON NUCLEAR SUBMARINES – The ESG would also like to reiterate its opposition to the berthing of nuclear submarines in Gibraltar. The recent increase in submarine visits has prompted a statement by our group which has always maintained that Gibraltar is too small to accommodate such vessels with the potential risk these pose to the safety of our community.

• ON BATHING QUALITY DATA – August is a month where temperatures soar and many go on vacation. Those that don’t need to cool down, and this happens at our beaches, which are fuller than ever before due to chronic border delays, and many disinclined to visit Spanish beaches.

The ESG is concerned that there have been large gaps on the environmental agency website on bathing water quality, down, we are told, to the GHA public analyst being away for the whole month on vacation. That although alternate labs are being used in Spain there is additional delay in turning results around.

There were assurances given by Government at the start of the summer that frequency of sampling would be strictly followed to allow beaches like Western, that can suddenly become very polluted, to remain open. However a visit to the website recently showed a 12 day gap in data, and this during the hottest time of the year. This is simply not good enough and the ESG calls upon Government to rectify this situation without delay.

• The ESG notes that the new Bathing Pavilion is also now being monitored for water quality. Sampling is being done to check on bacterial contamination such as Total Coliforms, E.Coli and Fecal Streptococci (all sewage contaminants) as is done for all beaches. The group would like to see other contaminants, such as hydrocarbon, monitored in these waters, given the close proximity to industrial activity such as refueling carried out at nearby jetties.

• NORTH GORGE and other PLANS – The ESG is also concerned about the numerous developments occurring in Gibraltar today. We have been here before:  An escalation of new and proposed developments throughout our small footprint, at the same time, posing significant and accumulative impacts on everyone’s quality of life and the environment. This also stretches supporting services and various human resources. The ESG advocates measured and sustained development carried out in a manner that allows for a good quality of life and where every new development is paced and given the necessary time and consideration. The DPC agenda this week contains several transformational projects such as Mid Town Development, Western Reclamation and North Mole Reclamation. All raise significant issue which need to be very carefully reviewed.

Clean up the World 2014- Finally, a reminder that the main Clean up the World planning meeting will take place on Friday 29^th August at 6pm. Location is the Main Guard, Gibraltar Heritage Trust, which is at John Mackintosh Square

ESG and Green MEP visit to the Rock

 The ESG regrets the missed opportunity of meeting with SW’s first Green MEP, Molly-Scott Cato, who now also represents Gibraltar in Brussels, on her recent visit here.

In a climate where most MEPs can enjoy meeting directly with Government, something that was not the case in the past, the ESG reiterates the need for all MEPs to include meetings with important stakeholders such as NGOs, actively taking on issues at European Commission level.

We intend to make direct contact with Ms Molly-Scott Cato and will draw her attention to the sustained campaigns run by the ESG in Brussels, hoping to enlist her support. This is crucial to maintain the efforts by her predecessors, Conservative Neil Parish, and later, Liberal MEP Sir Graham Watson, who have recognised and supported our work with considerable time and use of their resources.

We will brief her on the facts that since 2002, the ESG, assisted by local law firm, Hassan’s International, has had official complaints lodged with the EC against serious breaches of environmental legislation by multinational petrochemical plants in San Roque, given its size and scale of operation affecting the entire bay, population and living environment. The group has repeatedly flagged numerous incidences of a regional, cross border, environmental nature, progress on which is impeded by long-term political troubles.

Over the years our group has been instrumental, via public and behind the scenes campaigns, in seeing through fundamental improvements at the Oil Refinery as a result of using EU pressure, cross border campaigns and gathering of scientific data. It is still necessary for the ESG to highlight particular episodes of heavy contamination to the EC as they occur, as well as periodically check that ongoing improvements are indeed happening to bring the plant up to modern environmental standards, as it is realistically impossible to shut down this monster.

That is one example of the need for our MEPs to be fully briefed by us on our long-term work and aims. Secondly, our Western Beach complaint fronted by Sir Graham Watson is also far from over. We have organised protests and met with several MEPs on this issue, as it is not only a matter of inconvenience that La Linea is dumping raw sewage right next to our public spaces and nearby local residential area, but also a matter of public health concern. Spain has repeatedly lied to the EC about this problem being over. Data gathered by local environmental agency demonstrates this contamination outside of the bathing season to be pretty much a constant with illegal levels persistently recorded.

Many files with anecdotal information and data have been submitted to all MEPs over the years and it is through this pressure that the EC, at least, is claiming to be looking at the issue. It has not taken legal action or instructed Spain to act on this within a deadline. There certainly has been no inspection to verify what the ESG has been consistently telling the EC.

It is important therefore that the Green MEP informs herself of these issues also so that she can support our work in Brussels. Another area where we are active is in highlighting major environmental developments to the EC by Spain, for example, the giant fuel tank farm with no cross border environmental study or notification taking place. Another example is where Spain was recording dangerous levels of nickel in the bay area caused by heavy industry. Even though EU legislation is frighteningly slow, pressure must be maintained by NGOs, and support must come from every sector of society, including government and MEPS.

The MEP expressed interest in marine conservation and we will highlight how the heavy industry in the bay has, for years, dumped large volumes of toxic waste into the bay waters causing toxic contamination to build up in the area. The rampant urbanisation and large-scale reclamation, wherever it occurs, must also come under the microscope regarding its clear impacts on marine conservation.

Finally, and most importantly, we will definitely share with her, as our MEP, bay wide concerns about the mortality rates in the area that are much higher than elsewhere in the Iberian peninsula. There are numerous studies that show a correlation between industrial emissions and health impacts and European citizens living on each side of the border are deeply concerned that we are falling foul from these toxic emissions.

The group would also like an opportunity to share its views on the concerns raised by the Green MEP when in Gibraltar and give our independent views as an apolitical, grassroots, environmental NGO.

ESG Committee

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 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.

Rosia Bay Development

 Key Words:- Roads, Parking, Storm Drains and Sewage, Clean up the World

The ESG broadly welcomes the project presented by private developers for Rosia Bay.  It has some concerns, which were raised by its representative, J Howitt, during this weeks’ DPC consideration, but these were not reported in the wider press. The group believes these issues are a matter of public interest.

The ESG raised the question of the already overcrowded parking in the vicinity immediately surrounding the entrance to Rosia Bay and that this needs to be given serious consideration. Also clarification was sought by the ESG on the actual entry point; it was learnt that no further parking provision is planned for now and that public access will be exclusively on foot via a new bridge almost at road level. The steep ramp used by the majority of current users will in future only be used by staff that will have parking provided at Rosia Bay – there will be no parking for the public on site.

Another point raised by the ESG was the irregular but real danger of storm drain overflow causing sewage entering the bay from time to time, approximately where the new restaurant will be built. The ESG urges for this to be addressed early when taking the project forward. The group expects the planned EIA to address all issues, including health and safety, and all other important environmental and heritage factors.

There are many issues to consider when appraising the project and how it can benefit an area like Rosia Bay. We are all aware of the depressing state of neglect, vandalism, dumping, littering – on land and into the sea – that has pervaded this area for the past decade. The ESG has coordinated clean up teams of volunteers removing tons of rubbish from both land and seabed sites at Rosia Bay for the past 9 years. The group will be happy to share all information it has available with developers in the interests of protecting and safeguarding the biodiversity in the bay.

Overall, the group welcomes the proposed, understated development at Rosia that will lift the site from the abandoned and littered area it has become. Logistical problems of access, parking and the long term commercial viability of the project will also ultimately determine its real success, but for today, it is hoped the initial issues we and others have flagged are overcome and the project moves forward smoothly.

The ESG does not always report on DPC proceedings but its intention is to highlight issues that are of concern to the group and its members and particularly when it considers these are in the public interest.”

 (See following link for photographs of past clean ups at this site by our Clean up Volunteer teams.:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48032210@N04/10185089255/in/set-72157636384698606

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48032210@N04/10184997426/in/set-72157636384411593/  )

Radio Broadcast:-

Key Words:- Development and Planning – CEPSA Oil Refinery – Western Beach

In today’s newsletter we look at the upcoming Development and Planning Commission meeting coming up next Tuesday the 25^th February at 9.30am in the John Mackintosh Hall. The ESG has had a number of discussions with people in our community expressing views or concerns about some of the projects, which are now in sight for discussion and approval by the DPC.

In the past 12 months and especially since the start of 2014 a number of very significant building developments have been agreed, which, collectively, means Gibraltar will once again be relegated to a major building site, if temporarily so, for now. Whilst many see these as important for Gibraltar, by meeting social and economic needs, with the undoubted spin offs this will provide for the various related industries, the scale of some of the projects warrants careful, holistic handling. This is critical if we are to mitigate against various environmental impacts such as disruption to traffic, impact on air and noise quality, and generally, from the sense that we are once again living in a building site – something many will also agree we experienced under the previous administration.

There is no doubt that Gibraltar will be undergoing a major physical transformation and that we, as a community, and via a more public planning system, can and should become more involved in the decision making process.

For this we need information and it will be useful for those of you interested to know that projects such as Rosia Bay and the Caleta Hotel will be presented to the Commission on the 25^th, that’s next Tuesday at 9.30am onwards. Hope to see you there. Oh, a reminder also that plans for these projects are up for viewing at the Town Planning Offices.

Tracking other issues as we do, the recent heavy pollution from the Cepsa Oil Refinery has not escaped our notice and we shall be issuing a press release on this later today.

Locally, the issue of Western Beach and bathing water quality remains as dire as ever. Check out the values on the EA site and you will see that levels of sewage remain illegal and a threat to public health. We continue to monitor and liaise with the MEPs on this and will also be releasing an update shortly.

Please contact us with any concerns or information at esg@gibtelecom.net. Call us at 54960000. Thanks for listening.