Criticism For Demolition Of Gate House On Gibraltar
The Ministry of Defence in Gibraltar has come under criticism from the colony’s Heritage Trust over its decision to demolish an old Gate House at the Naval Base.
It is believed to be more than 100 years old and the only remaining part of the original North gates Dockyard entrance.
The MoD has said it “concluded after extensive attempts to find an alternative use” that it no longer has any requirement for the building.
It wants to create more parking spaces in its place and has confirmed that work has started on the demolition process.
The MoD says it needs extra parking spaces for Gibraltar Defence Police operational vehicles, after the transfer of the service from another site in the territory.
The Gibraltar Heritage Trust has described this as a “feeble excuse”.
The Trust’s Chairman, Ian Balestrino told local media this had been an “ongoing argument” with the MoD and that it had suggested alternative uses because it had too much heritage value to be knocked down for more parking spaces.
He said that in December Gibraltar’s planning commission, the DPC, recommended against the demolition.
But, under current laws the DPC’s advice is not binding on either the Government of Gibraltar or MoD land.
A local resident, Dino Chincotta, has reacted angrily.
He described the MoD decision as “appalling” and said the demolition should be “resisted vigorously”.
In a statement, the MoD in Gibraltar said it was committed to conserving Heritage assets and that an offer has been made to the Gibraltar Heritage Trust that would see the materials of the Old Gate House relocated to a non-MoD site for use by the Trust for restoration purposes.
It adds its commitment to Heritage conservation is demonstrated by their recent work to restore Oyster Cottage into a state-of-the-art radio studio, the recently completed £1.5M replacement of the Naval Base store's roof and their ongoing maintenance of historic water storage tanks.
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