Outline planning approval granted for wastewater treatment plant

The new design for an urban wastewater treatment plant at Europa Point has been approved by the Development and Planning Commission.

The plans also include a pumping station at Little Bay and a pipeline through Keightley Way Tunnel.

Plans for a wastewater treatment plant for Gibraltar have been in the works for over a decade - but while previous contracts and designs have fallen through, the chosen location has not changed.

It will be built at the Brewery Crusher site - with Europa Point also the place where the Rock currently pumps its raw sewage into the sea.

This was recently highlighted in the Guardian, and also raised in the UK Parliament by Labour MP, Adam Jogee.

Now, the latest steps have been taken towards addressing it: with the DPC granting outline approval to the new plans for a plant. 

The new design, submitted by Eco Waters Limited, will be able to process 26,000 cubic metres of wastewater per day, with this expected to rise to 36,000 by 2049.

It's designed to allow for future upgrades, and the building is intended to integrate with the surrounding landscape, with a low-lying green roof.

The project also includes a pumping station at the Little Bay car park, to intersect with the existing sewer network.

It would also include a concrete-covered pipeline through Keightley Way Tunnel, with a raised walkway built on top.

Construction of the plant is expected to take two to two and a half years, with construction of the Little Bay facility expected to take ten months and planned to avoid bathing season.

There would then be a commissioning period for the wastewater plant.

Following questions from the Environmental Safety Group, the developers said all odour-producing operations would be carried out indoors.

The ESG's Janet Howitt also called for the Little Bay facility to be better integrated into the landscape as well, with the applicants saying they were already working on proposals.

The Minister for the Environment, John Cortes, also backed calls to ensure the changes to Keightley Way Tunnel are safe for both pedestrians and cyclists.

Town Planning said the project would have long-term environmental benefits for Gibraltar and its waters, with DPC members agreeing that the new design was an improvement on previous submissions.

Town Planning recommended approval, with conditions including a Construction Environmental Management Plan, water quality monitoring, geotechnical stabilisation measures and an archaeological watching brief.

The Commission unanimously approved the outline planning application.