By Marc Menendez-Roche •
Published: 25 Nov 2024 • 10:27
• 2 minutes read
Gibraltar’s new expansion plan is causing quite a controversy among environmental groups. The Rock is expanding its coastline with stone from Málaga, but it s stirring up a public outcry from pro-environmentalist groups with accusations of environmental law violations.
Thousands of tonnes of stone, taken from a quarry in Casares, Málaga, are being transported by truck across the border to fuel a massive landfill project on Gibraltar’s eastern coast. Environmentalists are furious, accusing the British territory of defying both Spanish and EU environmental laws. And now, it seems, the row is set to escalate with legal action and international protests.
A mountain of controversy
The stone is being dumped to create new land for a controversial tourism project. Environmental group Verdemar-Ecologistas en Acción claims more than 30,000 tonnes of the stone have already been hauled across the border. This is reportedly for a huge development that’s set to reshape Gibraltar’s eastern coastline.
Gibraltar, which is no longer part of the EU after Brexit, is now caught up in a battle that has the eyes of Spain and the EU firmly fixed on it. They are planning to build 1,300 residential units, a 200-room hotel, and a yacht marina once they ve expanded the coastline. But for many, it’s an environmental disaster waiting to happen.
Protected zones, ignored laws
The site in question falls within a protected zone that is covered by Spain’s 2012 Royal Decree. This decree was put in place to protect the unique habitats of the area, making land reclamation illegal. It’s also a part of the EU’s Natura 2000 network, which safeguards areas of environmental importance.
Despite this, work is continuing at pace, with no sign of a slowdown. Environmentalists are furious, accusing Gibraltar of breaching Spanish and EU regulations, while Spanish authorities seem to be sitting on their hands.
A blame game with no winners
While the trucks keep rolling and the stone piles up, the Spanish authorities appear to be stuck in a bureaucratic limbo. Complaints have been lodged with Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition, the Andalusian government, and even the European Union. But so far, no one seems willing to take responsibility. The Spanish Foreign Ministry has confirmed it has raised formal protests with Gibraltar on several occasions, calling the actions a blatant violation of international law and EU regulations.
Yet, the trucks from Málaga continue their journey, expanding Gibraltar’s coastline, one load at a time. It’s a process that’s increasingly becoming a symbol of the tangled mess of bureaucracy and the mounting frustration of those trying to stop the project.
Brexit tensions fuel the fire.
As the stone is laid down and the Eastside Project takes shape, the diplomatic tensions surrounding Gibraltar’s future after Brexit only add fuel to the fire. Environmentalists are now questioning the lack of action from Spain in addressing what many see as a clear breach of the law.
An expanding dispute
Gibraltar’s coastline may be expanding, but so is the diplomatic row. As the stone keeps flowing from Málaga, the pressure is building on both sides of the border. Environmentalists are digging in their heels, the Spanish government is scrambling to find a solution, and Gibraltar seems to be ploughing ahead regardless.
This row is far from over. And as the trucks continue their journey, the future of Gibraltar hangs in the balance.
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Written by
Marc Menendez-Roche
Marc is a writer, teacher, and language enthusiast with a passion for making complex topics simple and accessible.
With a background in business and legal communication and an interest in educational neuroscience, Marc has spent over a decade teaching and writing.
Now, as part of the team at Euro Weekly News, Marc enjoys diving into entertaining topics and stories that matter to the community.
When he’s not writing, Marc loves practising martial arts, playing football, cooking up a storm in the kitchen, or spending quality time with friends and family, but above all, Marc enjoys spending time with his son, Macson.
This expansion should absolutely go ahead. First of all the Med is already a dead sea. It has been overfished and has genuinely little life left in the waters so nothing environmentally will happen. This so called outcry is by the usual rent a mob of environmental nut cases and most likely the Spanish government who will do everything in their power stop Gibraltar from expanding and most likely behind the trouble. The Gib government must go ahead with this project because they need it. If Spain ever took control of Gib, god forbid it, they would immediately start building their typical poor quality houses because that is what they do.
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