Govt contrasts housing record with GSD as Westside row continues 

The Gibraltar Government has defended its record on affordable housing in response to GSD criticism of the Westside reclamation, saying GSLP/Liberal administrations have delivered 1,742 homes since 2011 compared with 801 under the GSD between 1996 and 2011. 

In a statement, the Government said the comparison covered four terms in office for each administration and did not include homes planned for the new reclamation. 

According to figures published by the Government, the 801 homes delivered under GSD administrations were at Waterport Terraces, Cumberland Terraces, Bayview Terraces and Nelson's View. 

It said GSLP/Liberal administrations had completed 1,742 homes at Beach View Terraces, Mons Calpe Mews, Hassan Centenary Terraces Phases 1 and 2 and Chatham Views. 

That figure would rise to 2,141 on completion of Bob Peliza Mews, it said. 

The Government also pointed to 2,442 affordable homes delivered by the earlier GSLP administration led by Sir Joe Bossano, at Brympton Estate, Vineyards, Montagu Gardens, Harbour Views, Sir William Jackson Grove and Montagu Crescent. 

It said this brought the total delivered by GSLP administrations to 4,184 affordable homes. 

The statement came in response to criticism from the GSD over plans for the Westside reclamation, which the Government says will provide 2,000 affordable homes and 300 pensioner homes. 

It said every home planned for the site would be allocated to Gibraltarians through Government affordable housing schemes, with no open-market or private residential element. 

The Government said creation of the land was expected to take around 18 months from commencement, after which the development would be delivered in phases. 

The reclamation was approved by the Development and Planning Commission on May 28, 2026, following a public statutory planning process. 

The Government said issues including traffic, infrastructure, schooling and design would continue to be considered publicly as the masterplan progressed through the planning process. 

“This Government has built 1,742 affordable homes over four terms, with a further 400 to come on completion of Bob Peliza Mews,” said Health and Business Minister Gemma Arias Vasquez, whose portfolio also includes responsibility for the port. 

“Families are living in those homes today, at Beach View Terraces, at Mons Calpe Mews, at Hassan Centenary Terraces and at Chatham Views.” 

“Westside will deliver 2000 more affordable homes and 300 pensioner homes, every one of them an affordable home for Gibraltarians, with no open market element whatsoever.” 

“Whilst others criticise, we build.” 

“What we are working on now is to create the land, bring the masterplan forward through the Development and Planning Commission and keep the community informed at every stage.” 

“That is what we will get on with.” 

The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, added: “Every generation of Gibraltarians who has grown up in an affordable home on reclaimed land has done so because a previous generation was willing to build.” 

“The GSD was in office for fifteen years and built 801 homes.” 

“We have built 1,742 already, with 400 more to come very soon and we are now creating the land for 2,300 more.” 

“Every single one of them affordable and not one square metre of it for the open market.” 

“The GSD calls that unbelievable.” 

“What is unbelievable is a party that spent four terms failing to build the homes Gibraltar needed and now lectures those who are building them.” 

“They are entitled to their scepticism.” 

“Our families are entitled to their homes.” 

“This Government has chosen families.”