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Approved DPC meeting 3/18 28th March 2018 THE DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of the 3rd Meeting of 2018 of the Development and Planning Commission held at the Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall, on 28th March 2018 at 9.30 am. Present: Mr P Origo (Chairman) (Town Planner) The Hon Mr S Linares (MSCHY) (Minister for Sports, Culture, Heritage and Youth) Mr H Montado (HM) (Chief Technical Officer) Mrs C Montado (CAM) (Gibraltar Heritage Trust) Mr Kevin De Los Santos (KS) (Land Property Services) Mr K Bensusan (KB) (Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society) Mrs J Howitt (JH) (Environmental Safety Group) Mr C Viagas Mr Viv O’Reilly (Rep Commander British Forces, Gibraltar) In Attendance: Mr P Naughton-Rumbo (DTP) (Deputy Town Planner) Mr. Robert Borge (Minute Secretary) Apologies: The Hon Dr J Garcia (Deputy Chief Minister) The Hon Dr J Cortes (MEHEC) (Minister for Education, Heritage, Environment & Climate Change) Mr G Matto (GM) (Technical Services Department) 1 Approved DPC meeting 3/18 28th March 2018 Mr M Cooper (Rep Commander British Forces, Gibraltar) 103/18 – Approval of Minutes The minutes of the 1st meeting of 2018 held on 24th January 2018 and for the 2nd meeting held on 20th February 2018 were approved with the amendments proposed by JH that had been previously circulated to members. Matters Arising 104/18 – O/15234/17 – 29/37 Engineer Lane and Adjacent Car Park – Proposed construction of building containing serviced apartments, 2 commercial units and ancillary areas. DTP reported that this application had previously been considered in January 2018 and the Commission had requested that the application be revised to: Limit the height to the previous approved scheme; Set back the 5th floor; Review the façade details; Agree plant location; Agree refuse provision; Provide details of landscaping; and Provide loading facilities. DTP said that the applicant had addressed some of these issues and submitted revised plans. The applicant had increased the size of the bin store to accommodate the number of bins that had been requested by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Climate Change (DoEHCC), a further bin store would also be found within the new building The applicant had also considered utilising a roundabout within the access road but had then reverted to a turning head which meant three parking spaces could be accommodated. A loading bay was also introduced, parallel to the stone walls next to the ARP shelter. A generator room had been introduced into the basement The basement level had also been sunken fully into the ground which together with a reduction in the thickness of the floor slabs meant that the overall height of the building had now been reduced from 29.5 meters to 27 metres and therefore the height was within the maximum height of the previously approved scheme apart from a small breach caused by the staircore which was required to provide access to the roof pool and terrace. At the 5th floor no set back had been introduced but instead the width of the cornice had been extended to try and create a break between the different architectural styles. The applicant presented three different options for the façade treatment. Option A was for floors 1-4 to be stone clad. Option B was for stone cladding on 1st Floor and a red coloured render on floors 2-4. Option C was the same as Option B except the coloured render was white. The design 2 Approved DPC meeting 3/18 28th March 2018 of the railings to the circular balconies had also been revised. DTP reported to the Commission that the reduction in height and the change to the balcony railings was welcomed. The stair core provided access to the roof top amenity area and the lift access provided for disabled access. The staircore is located away from the front plane and it visual impact would therefore be limited. He also welcomed the re-0introduction of parking and the provision of loading facilities. He commented that the 5th floor had not been set back and referred to the design guide which normally requires such setbacks where there is a change in architectural style. The Commission would need to take a view on whether the extended cornice achieved the same purpose. He also expressed concerns with the options put forward for the façade treatment. JH asked whether renewable energy would be used. DTP responded that they were still awaiting further submissions. The Chairman asked the Commission whether they wished to approve the application following DTP’s recommendations to condition the permit that the fifth floor should be set back and further details should be submitted concerning the use of renewable energy. The Commission unanimously approved this application subject to the 5th floor being set back appropriately; the treatment of the facades should be reviewed and discussed with Town Planning prior to submitting the full application, detailed landscaping scheme to be submitted and other standard conditions. Major Developments 105/18 – F/15298/17G – Europa Point – Proposed construction of two blocks of apartments for short term rental accommodation over semi-buried podium with car parking. This application was for the construction of two blocks over semi basement garage parking, adjacent to the entrance to Keightley Way Tunnel at Europa Point. The two blocks would consist of 6 storeys each, housing a total of 144 studio apartments. There would be 12 studios per floor. Both blocks would have a flat roof and ample natural light. There would also be 12 accessible studios. A single storey reception building would be in between both buildings. A plant enclosure would be found on the roof of the reception building. A surface car park would also be provided in the south west corner of the site. These blocks would provide accommodation for athletes visiting Gibraltar for the Island Games and would then be used for Students attending the University of Gibraltar. The fenestration would be coloured aluminium, walls would be rendered with some feature cladding and there would be small terraces on some corners of the building. The following comments were received from consultees: 3 Approved DPC meeting 3/18 28th March 2018 DoEHCC – Made standard comments and require implementation of Starling nests. Heritage Trust – Required an Archaeological Watching Brief and felt that the overall mass of the building would have a negative impact on Europa Point. The height of the building should not be higher than that of Europa Road. Ministry for Heritage – Also required an Archaeological Watching Brief and a Desk Based Assessment. Technical Services Department (TSD) – Commented that there may be stability issues encountered during construction. Traffic Commission – The Commission stated that the exit from the garage was too close to the junction and exit of Keightley Way Tunnel. DTP reported that there were some concerns regarding the scale, mass and height of the building as other buildings in the area were relatively low rise. This building would be overbearing particularly in the context of the adjacent two storey house. DTP also commented that it would have been preferable for this proposal to be located in a more built up area where its physical form could be more readily assimilated, where students would have more facilities nearby. DTP advised that this building could set a precedent for larger buildings to be built at Europa Point. DTP recommended that a detailed landscaping plan be submitted, Starling nests be incorporated, 10% of the parking spaces should have electrical car charging points, an archaeological watching brief and desk based assessment be carried out and that predicted energy performance details be submitted. The Chairman asked the Commission whether they had any further recommendations to make for Government to take into consideration. KB noted that the landscaping should be soft and very lush but it would be likely that plants would be overtaken by the native population of plants at the site. CAM commented that although an archaeological watching brief had been requested the works had already started and were at an advanced stage. MSCHY replied that before works had started the Government had consulted with the Museum and he had been assured that all relevant studies had been conducted. JH remarked whether there would be any further projects coming forward for Europa Point as the massing for the stadium had been deliberated on and the mass of this building was too big for the area. She considered there was a risk of losing this open space in future. JH also asked whether it would not be possible for the building to be lower. MSCHY responded that they could not as they were required for students enrolling in the University from overseas and that there would not be any further construction in the area. The Chairman stated that comments made by members would be passed on to Government. 106/18 – F/15394/18 King’s Wharf, Queensway – Proposed construction of a new residential block at Quay 31, Kings Wharf, over a single storey podium containing private parking with associated landscaping and a new public promenade along the Marina Frontage. 4 Approved DPC meeting 3/18 28th March 2018 This application was for the approval of the third phase of King’s Wharf which would comprise 84 flats over a single storey podium with underground parking. A public promenade will also be constructed along the front of the marina. There will be 89 car parking spaces provided with vehicular access being via the existing access for King’s wharf. Details of landscaping and lighting along the marina promenade and on the podium had been submitted. Any existing trees will be retained and a string of trees will be planted at podium level.

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