Phase One of new Waste Treatment Facility given full planning permission at DPC

The first phase of the new Waste Treatment Facility in Europa Advance Road has received unanimous approval at the Development and Planning Commission. 

This will operate as an enclosed waste reception, materials recovery, and transfer facility. 

Recycle.gi, part of the El Martillo Group, signed what the Government described as a "historic" agreement to build a much needed Waste Management Facility last year. 

This includes a state-of-the-art plant at the site of the former incinerator. It will convert waste into energy which will then be fed directly into Gibraltar's local power grid. It would also reduce Gibraltar's dependence on waste export to Spain as well as boost recycling rates while reducing pollution.

It's construction will be done in two phases. Phase Two will see the building of the Waste Energy Incineration.

Phase One includes 5 buildings, establishing the core operational infrastructure for the site and will operate as a standalone Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) focused on the reception, segregation, processing, storage, and export of waste and recyclable materials. No incineration or Energy from Waste (EfW) processes are included within this phase.

As regards the exterior, the developers gave reassurances that the colours would blend in with the surroundings, and would be built with glass fibre reinforced concrete to withstand its exposure to the natural environment.

Concerns were raised by the Environmental Safety Group about the size and massing of the project, however, the Town Planning Department considered that the scale was justified by the operational requirements and its strategic benefit.

Heritage and Archaeology considerations were considered to be capable of being addressed, however in terms of geology and cliff stability, a geotechnical assessment has identified areas that require further inspection.

As for odour, dust, noise, traffic management and fire-risk, these will require assessments and plans which would need to be submitted before the plant becomes operational. Waste-handling will take place within an enclosed building.

The ESG’s Janet Howit said the plant was "really badly needed."

Now that full planning permission has been given, the developers say the project could be operational in “months” rather than years.