Gibraltar Development Plan tender awarded to UK company for £634K

The tender for the new Gibraltar Development Plan has been awarded to Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners Limited, a UK based company, for £634,973.25.

The award follows a competitive tender process conducted via the Government’s Procurement Department.

The new plan should be completed in approximately 24 months, the Government told the Chronicle.

In 2021, the Gibraltar Government told the Chronicle it was considering pushing back its already-overdue plans to update the Gibraltar Development Plan, citing the need to rein in costs against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The current Development Plan dates back to 2009 and updated a 1991 document. Ideally though, Development Plans should be reviewed every 10 years.

The need to update the current plan has been regularly raised over the past few years, including during meetings of the Development and Planning Commission tasked with reviewing planning applications.

The Gibraltar Government announced a tender for a new Development Plan in 2019 and wanted it in place within 12 months.

But the impact of Covid-19 derailed that timeline.

The Development Plan sets the parameters of what can be constructed where, including setting restrictions on the type and size of buildings in any given location.

The DPC considers all applications against the current Development Plan and routinely knocks back projects it views as unsuitable given those parameters.

The new tender being awarded will consist of evaluating the existing Development Plan and preparing of a new plan which reflects a modern Gibraltar.

“The Government’s intention is to strike a balance between responsible development while preserving Gibraltar’s natural appeal, it’s environmental wellbeing and a high quality of life for its citizens, residents, and tourists alike,” said a statement from the Government.

The Minister with responsibility for Town Planning, Gemma Arias-Vasquez, was “absolutely delighted” that the Government has finally been able to award the tender for the new Development Plan.

“This is hugely important and will go a long way in ensuring we preserve Gibraltar’s natural appeal whilst also protecting our economic interests. Our aim is to ensure sustainable growth and economic development,” she said.

“I would like to thank all the Officials involved in the procurement process for their work and look forward to receiving a first draft of the new Development Plan as soon as practicably possible.”