Carlton Properties Ltd has filed a revised outline planning application for 20/22 Queensway, a site known as the Rooke, for a development consisting of homes, commercial units including a supermarket and ample leisure areas.
In March 2023, the Development and Planning Commission granted outline planning permission for a proposed mixed-use development with public space and amenities on the former HMS Rooke site, although it attached conditions and recommendations.
Among those conditions was one that referred to Dock 4, a drydock on the site.
“While the initial ‘Expression of Interest’ conditions did not include the necessity to incorporate the ‘Dock 4’ within our scheme, valued feedback from the Development and Planning Commission (DPC) members prompted a unanimous sentiment for its incorporation,” said a planning statement written by WSRM Architects, who are working with the developer.
“This required substantial redesign efforts, fundamentally altering our scheme and prompting a re-submission for ‘Outline Planning Approval.’”
“We’re pleased to highlight that through extensive design refinement and collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), we have now developed a scheme that will be able to incorporate Dock 4 but also elevated the overall project in response to various planning concerns,” the statement added.
The new proposal suggests “the incorporation of an open air theatre, tropical garden with water features, the delineation of part of the former dock as well as the potential use for a below ground level community shared space and water reservoir.”
The developer has stated its drive for the former HMS Rooke site is underpinned by a commitment to increase green spaces and biodiversity, support and enhance the local economy, and create an enhanced public realm.
“These project drivers form the cornerstone of our proposal, intricately interwoven to establish a harmonious balance between every critical aspect of a project scheme of this size,” said the statement.
“This mixed-use development boasts the inclusion of a three-story car park, commercial office space, enticing retail units, a new major supermarket, and residential accommodations.”
“Complementing these features is a spacious urban leisure park, conceived to foster activity and meaningful interactions within the community.”
“This park, designed as a natural haven, boasts several amenities such as a running track encircling the entire perimeter, padel courts, grass lawns for yoga and various recreational activities.”
“By setting back the potential building footprint, we’ve successfully created a fully integrated one-way segregated cycle lane at road level along the site’s perimeter,” it added, noting that the initiative aligns closely with Government’s ‘Active Travel Strategy’.
The development’s rooftop park will integrate various retail units, including a bistro, restaurant, and café, “enveloped by lush vegetation comprising trees, shrubs, and grass lawns,” which will link with both Campion Park and Commonwealth Park.
“Our scheme proposes three public passages linking Queensway and Bishop Caruana Roads, facilitating seamless connectivity to an expanding west side of Gibraltar comprising largely of residential buildings with that of the city centre,” stated the planning statement.
“Our passages will offer diverse experiences, such as a lush plaza with shops, a convenient connection from a public car park to the supermarket, and an enhanced northern boundary linking main roads for swift pedestrian access in Gibraltar.”
Vehicular access to the car park will be from both Bishop Caruana Road and Queensway.
The statement also noted that while balancing both “contextual proportionality and commercial viability”, 80% of the overall developable area remains ‘low-rise.’
“This conscientious approach ensures that the massing of the development resonates with the wider public, creating an aesthetically pleasing and economically viable urban environment,” said the statement.
The new proposal has brought the height down to that of Midtown which is nearby.
On level -1 there will be a tropical garden/amphitheatre/pavillion for Dock 4, on level -2 there will be commercial/reservoir.
On the ground floor with Dock 4 there will be a supermarket with warehouse, a plaza, commercial spaces, offices, public and commercial parking and a level of residential parking as well as residential amenities.
The next level will have more parking for public, commercial and residential, more office spaces and commercial units, and a terrace over Dock 4.
On the second floor there will be a restaurant, offices, commercial units and parking for public, commercial and residential.
The third floor will have the first level of homes in the residential block and the pool for the residents. There will also be a bistro, cake stall, café, an outdoor fitness area, toddler’s play park, children’s play park, three padel courts and club house, as well as offices.
On level four there will be solar panels over buildings such as the bistro and offices and with, regards to the residential building, a level of apartments.
The next levels from five right up to the penthouse on level 12 will consists of apartments.
The penthouse level will have fewer homes and more green spaces.
On the rooftop, there will be pools and relaxation areas and solar panels above.
The application has yet to be debated by the Development and Planning Commission and the closing date for public participation is March 18, 2024.