The Government of Gibraltar has officially granted full planning permission for the ambitious Eastside Development. The Development and Planning Commission (DPC) confirmed the decision on April 7, 2025, after members reviewed the final design of the main breakwater.

According to the DPC, the majority of members are satisfied with the southern extent of the breakwater, which is a crucial part of the coastal protection strategy. The government claims that the project will provide affordable housing, leisure facilities, and green spaces while respecting marine biodiversity and environmental conservation.

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Mega Marina and Luxury Facilities Planned

Gibraltar’s Eastside Project includes plans for a luxury marina with 541 berths for superyachts, a fuel dock, and a range of high-end developments. The ambitious scheme will also deliver over 1,300 residential homes, a 200-room hotel, a 500-space underground car park, premium office spaces, commercial areas, and a large public park.

Despite Gibraltar’s emphasis on environmental responsibility, critics argue that the project will harm the surrounding coastal areas.

Spain Condemns Development in Disputed Waters

Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly objected to the Eastside Project, stating that the construction violates Spanish sovereignty. Madrid argues that the waters surrounding Gibraltar were never ceded under the Treaty of Utrecht and remain under Spanish jurisdiction.

Spain has sent formal diplomatic protests to the United Kingdom, claiming the development infringes on both international law and environmental protections. Spanish officials are particularly concerned about the construction of the breakwater and dredging of the seabed for the marina.

Local Concerns and Environmental Impact

The project has faced opposition not only from Spain but also from environmental groups and some voices within Gibraltar’s own government. Concerns have been raised about the length of the breakwater and its potential impact on nearby beaches and coastal conditions.

Environmental advocates warn that large-scale dredging and coastal modifications could damage marine life and disrupt the ecological balance of the area.

Ongoing Tensions Over Gibraltar’s Waters

The dispute over Gibraltar’s territorial waters continues to fuel tensions between the UK and Spain. Gibraltar’s government maintains that the development is within its jurisdiction, citing British claims to a three-nautical-mile territorial limit. However, Spain firmly rejects this interpretation.

As construction moves forward, the Eastside Project remains a symbol of the ongoing sovereignty dispute and raises serious environmental and diplomatic concerns.

HM Govt of Gibraltar invites expressions of interest for the Eastside Reclamation project. http://t.co/8lebs8WRvt pic.twitter.com/PnKQenefbK

— HM Govt of Gibraltar (@GibraltarGov) June 13, 2014

A Project Caught Between Development and Dispute

As Gibraltar pushes ahead with the Eastside Project, the divide between development ambitions and territorial disputes remains clear. Supporters claim the project will provide much-needed housing and new public spaces, but the plans seem to focus on luxury apartments, a superyacht marina, high-end offices, and premium leisure facilities aimed at attracting wealthy visitors and investors.

At the same time, critics continue to raise serious concerns about legal boundaries, environmental risks, and the potential impact on neighbouring waters and beaches. The debate over the Eastside development highlights the ongoing conflict between promises of local benefit and the reality of an exclusive, high-end development, and the conversation is far from over.

What’s your view on the Eastside Project? Does it offer genuine benefits for the community, or is it a luxury development at the expense of local needs and the environment? Share your thoughts below.

Main image: X/@herqles_es