Jan 19 - Gibraltar Heritage Trust Demand Explanation For MoD Guard House Demolition
The Gibraltar Heritage Trust together with the Gibraltar Government Archaeologist have, through the various channels available, invested a lot of time and effort in order to prevent the demolition of the Dockyard Gatehouse.
A spokesman for the Heritage Trust said: “A variety of proposals were put forward in the hope of saving this small but significant building. The Trust considers that all the structures within the Dockyard (The Tower, stores buildings, workshops, dry docks, stone chimneys, out buildings, its architectural and engineering history) have a tremendous heritage value not just to Gibraltar, because of the impact the Dockyard has had on our military and social history, but also are unique to the history of Britain and the World because of its location at the entrance to the Mediterranean.
"We have requested a statement explaining the rationale behind their decision to proceed with the demolition of the Dockyard Gatehouse and expect that this will be forthcoming soon. The Heritage Trust is looking forward to the enactment of the new Town Planning and the Heritage & Antiquities Acts that will incorporate clauses preventing the current exemptions afforded to the MoD.
“The Ministry of Defence (MoD) considered that the circa 1901 building was surplus to their operational requirements and thus the solution given was to demolish it. The feeble excuse is that the building's footprint will make available additional car parking spaces. The Trust feels that this is an unacceptable reason to destroy part of our heritage.”
Sharing an image from Google Earth showing location of the Gatehouse and adjoining car park, the Trust says a rough calculation shows that this car park allows for at least 106 vehicles with a further 25 - 30 parking spaces within the naval base.
“Does the availability of an additional 5 or 6 spaces warrant the loss of the Gatehouse? Without any doubt to the Trust the answer is NO,” the spokesman continues.
The Trust says they have worked together with the Government Archaeologist to propose a variety of uses for the building - a locker room, bicycle shed, archival storage, storage facility, Dockyard history interpretation centre.
The spokesman continues: “All these proposals were rejected by the MoD, mainly on the grounds of security access and also economic grounds to the repair of the building. Instead they have countered these by offering to palletise the stonework and roof tiles for future use outside the naval base.
“Whatever is salvaged will be handed to the Gibraltar Museum for storage. The Trust does not consider the palletisation of the building as an option that demonstrates concern for Gibraltar's heritage. What will happen to these materials? Will the building ever be rebuilt? If so where? What about the loss of authenticity of such a move? These are all decisions that need to be discussed and balanced to ensure the right outcome for our heritage buildings today and into the future.
“The December 2016 Development & Planning Commission meeting rejected by majority the application by the MoD to demolish the building. Although under the current Town Planning Act the MoD is not bound to DPC decisions, there was no intervention at the meeting by the MoD to justify their determination to demolish.
“Therefore the Trust is very disappointed and frustrated with the manner that the MOD has dealt with this matter."
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