Oct 19 – Heritage Trust Releases Campaign List
The Gibraltar Heritage Trust has released its Campaign List which aims to collate and focus on the main heritage issues that concern the Trust and the areas it would like to see progressed or integrated into Government policy and/ or Gibraltar Law.
The document is mainly centered around three main issues: legislation, management and resourcing. Many of the points are items that are at varying levels of progression in the Trust’s contact and meetings either directly with Government and departments and agencies through the varying consultation processes that exist. The Trust says it hopes that this document will serve as a reference point and a proactive tool to help shape those discussions as matters and issues progress.
This document has been delivered to Government and a copy also given to the opposition.
Here it is in full:
Introduction
Gibraltar’s heritage is one of our only truly home grown ‘domestic products’. From our architectural traditions, military fortifications, to our iconic Rock and its natural heritage assets, our heritage is a source of national pride and an important pillar in our economic growth. It is important that heritage takes a central role in planning for a sustainable future, that businesses and individuals alike know that restoring what we have in imaginative ways helps to create wealth and jobs at the same time as affirming the Gibraltarian identity.
It is still a fact that wholesale destruction of beautiful old buildings are being contemplated and being granted permission. There is so much at stake. The Trust’s view is that the future survival of heritage depends on the private, independent and public sectors working together to create the right framework for success.
This document aims to provide a set of aspirations and goals in terms of heritage conservation and planning for Gibraltar. Its principles are the reason that the Gibraltar Heritage Trust exists as a statutory body under the Gibraltar Heritage Trust Act, 1989, and is at the heart of what the Trust believes needs to be achieved in order to protect our unique and fragile heritage.
Main Action Points
LEGISLATION, LISTING & ENFORCEMENT IS REQUIRED ACROSS THE BOARD TO PROTECT AND MANAGE GIBRALTAR’S HERITAGE EFFECTIVELY
i)A new Heritage Act has been in the pipeline since 2006. It has gone through numerous redraftings and consultation processes. A Command Paper for the Bill was published in July 2015 and the public consultation process has recently closed. We need to see the publication of this Act now and with it accompanying schedules creating conservation areas and listing buildings.
ii) A review of the Landlord and Tenants Act to incentivise an investment in the condition and standard of pre-war properties. Such a review would potentially unlock some of the issues standing in the way of investment in areas of Gibraltar’s old town. This is a sensitive area to tackle as it is important to also protect the rights of long standing tenants and the vulnerable.
iii) A new Town Planning Act to streamline and increase efficiency in making enforcement on illegal works to properties more effective. Also to provide a framework for protecting strategic views and vistas both out of town and back in towards key monuments and the silhouette of the Rock itself. The Command Paper for the Bill was published in July 2015 and is currently going through the consultation process.
iv) A review of Court issued Abatement Notices to favour and support repair of properties as well as a review of the rule on rates holidays that encourage the long term abandonment of properties within the old town.
v) it is essential that all laws, policies and regulations are policed and enforced in a timely manner and that departments or units tasked with these responsibilities are appropriately resourced to do so.
INCREASED TAX RELIEF AND BENEFITS FOR LANDLORDS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES TO ENCOURAGE MAINTENANCE AND CONSERVATION.
Hand in hand with the new Town Planning and Heritage Acts we ask that a positive tax regime is created that encourages and supports maintenance and repair of our urban heritage. There at present exists some relief for landlords who repair and maintain the facade of their properties. We would look to build on this and offer further relief through other mechanisms so as to incentivise and support heritage enterprises which offer traditional services such as carpentry, stonemasonry, masonry, lime mortar repairs etc.
ESTABLISHMENT OF AN APPROVED CONTRACTOR LIST FOR HERITAGE SENSITIVE PROJECTS
Government is the largest landlord in Gibraltar. In the same way as there is an approved contractor list for companies able to undertake Government work, we would wish to see a list of contractors with proven track records or experience in undertaking design, maintenance and repair work in our old buildings. This quality assurance rating should also be extended to those working in the private sector. Aiming for quality workmanship goes a long way towards the sustainable management of our heritage assets.
STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN, INTEGRATED VISION FOR GIBRALTAR’S URBAN ENVIRONMENT WITH HERITAGE AT THE HEART OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
i) Research shows that looking after heritage can contribute significantly to the challenge of climate change resulting from excessive carbon emissions. Government Policy to recognise the substantial carbon benefits of retaining and adapting older buildings has started to be addressed, with this potential already being identified in the Governments ‘Building Renovation Strategy’ which was published in February 2015 and states:
‘A renovation strategy that specifically targets the barriers faced by this part of Gibraltar [old town] has great potential to improve and preserve old houses and maintain the historical character of the area’
We would like to see a commitment to the preparation and resourcing of a renovation strategy for Gibraltar’s historic quarters.
ii) The Gibraltar Development Plan outlines and provides policies for strategic development of Gibraltar for a 10year period. We would ask that when revising this document, that the plan looks further to a 20-30 year period and integrates a vision for Gibraltar’s urban environment that has heritage and environment at the heart of sustainable development. It is essential that this plan should be supported by all political parties as a masterplan for taking Gibraltar forward.
iii) An area of Gibraltar that we believe should be earmarked for long term planning and recovery is that of HM Dockyard. We would advocate a 10-15year plan to decant non-ship repair related industry from the area. The Dockyard as a complex is unique in the world and should be showcased as such. With a carefully thought through long term strategy this area could become Gibraltar’s next up and coming residential, office and leisure district with waterside leisure activities, warehouse/loft apartment style living and business activity all within a short distance of the Main Street and Europort business areas.
AN INVESTMENT IN HERITAGE TOURISM & TIGHTENING UP OF BRAND ‘GIBRALTAR’
Gibraltar’s Tourism industry brings £168million per annum (2014 figures) to the Rock’s economy. There needs to be a holistic tourism strategy that focuses on a rolling programme to invest in and develop tourist sites with an emphasis on quality control of information, displays, scripting, a quality assurance structure for information guides, as well as strict control on branding and appearance of the heritage product.
DPC EVOLUTION & INVOLVEMENT IN GoG PROJECTS
i) The Development and Planning Commission (DPC) meetings are now firmly established as meeting in public, and this will also become a statutory requirement. We would like to see the positive evolution of this body continue to improve availability of information to the public and the methods of interface improve through the recently launched E-planning framework. Government projects should also be subject to the full planning process in order to ensure transparency on all aspects of the process.
ii) We would like to see the proceedings of the Development Appeals Tribunal also open to the public as a natural evolution of the open planning process.
RECOGNITION OF THE VALUE OF HERITAGE & ATTRACTING HERITAGE SENSITIVE DEVELOPERS AND INVESTMENT
Gibraltar’s urban environment is the physical embodiment of the Gibraltarians, their history and culture. We would like to see policy reflect the value of this heritage so that it is protected and woven into the way business is done in Gibraltar. Inward investors and developers should be made aware of the requirement to retain, invest in and develop Gibraltar always keeping this at the heart of their proposals.
RETENTION OF CIVIC BUILDINGS IN PUBLIC OWNERSHIP
Important civic buildings of heritage significance should be retained in public ownership. The value of these buildings and investment into them brings significant knock on effects to the surrounding areas. The successful regeneration of Montagu Counterguard, Casemates, Kings Bastion and recently St. Bernard’s School at the Ex-Civil Hospital, the University of Gibraltar at Bombproof Barracks and the new healthcare facilities at the Royal Naval Hospital demonstrate the value of keeping these buildings and giving them a new use. We would like to see significant sites and buildings such as The Mount and Central Police Station also seeing similar public investment, be it in partnership with the private sector, but with the net effect that buildings remain in public ownership. These unique buildings are the inheritance of future generations and we should invest in those assets sustainably rather than selling them off to the highest bidder.
MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME FOR HERITAGE MONUMENTS AND ASSETS
We would like to see a commitment to the establishment of a rolling programme for the clearing and restoration of our city walls of damage causing vegetation and derelict accretions. A quick response team for small repair and maintenance jobs is also acutely needed.
APPPOINTMENT OF A HERITAGE CHAMPION
All of the above cannot be tackled in isolation. We would like to see the appointment of a ‘Heritage Champion’ who can cross consult, identify issues and chase for solutions whilst involving all stakeholders in the matters at hand. This person or cross-disciplinary team should be resourced with the necessary authority to push the heritage agenda whilst also balancing the wider Gibraltar agenda.
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