Tom PowellPLANS to construct 1,500 brand new homes on Gibraltar have been announced.
The government intends to build 1,000 flats on the Eastside reclamation site, while a further 500 flats will be built on land opposite Watergardens, near Ocean village.
The news comes as almost 900 flats have been allocated for the two housing schemes currently under construction, Mons Calpe Mews and Beach View Terraces.
Allocations were based on the housing waiting list, with priority given to those who were on the list when the current government was elected in December 2011.
“We are determined not to repeat past mistakes and have therefore prioritised the construction of affordable housing,” said Chief Minister Fabian Picardo.
“It was a flagship policy in the manifesto that got us elected and it is a commitment on which the Government has delivered with Mons Calpe Mews, Beach View Terraces and Charles Bruzon House already under construction.
“We intend to continue the supply of homes so that everyone eligible who wants one of these flats is able to obtain one,” he added.
In total, 47 one-bedroom flats, 312 two-bedroom flats, 477 three-bedroom flats and 59 four-bedroom flats have already been snapped up in Mons Calpe Mews and Beach View Terraces.
The two new projects have not yet been presented to the Development and Planning Commission.
Great news for Gibraltar and another nail in the coffin of the implanted population mythology.
Probably be some long queues tomorrow to enter the Rock!