The Gibraltar Football Association (GFA) has been ordered by the Development and Planning Commission (DPC) to cease unauthorised work being carried out on the proposed Europa Point stadium.

The order came last month when it was discovered works including drilling had been undertaken without the correct permissions to do so, against a backdrop of strong local opposition.

The DPC also asked the GFA to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and an Appropriate Assessment (AA) and report back to the Commission on both.

Opinion has been divided on the project with some stating that Europa Point – one of the only open flat spaces still left in Gibraltar – will be ruined, as will the panoramic views of the Strait, Morocco and Spain, while there have also been claims that the development will lead to significant traffic problems on match days.

Architects Fenwick Iribarren, say that the stadium will be a multi-purpose venue that could be used to host school sports days, will have an area for old age pensioners, a medical centre for sports related injuries and a library with sports-related books.

The GFA is aiming to officially open the venue in 2016 with a view to hosting international games. The British territory's football team currently uses the Victoria Stadium - which does not meet FIFA’s regulations to host international football matches.

Gibraltar, which is also aiming for FIFA membership in time to play in the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup, is looking to build an 8,000-capacity stadium at at the coveted Europa Point on the south of the island. The stadium will also be used for concerts.

The 23,000sq m (247,500sq ft) ground will feature a 105m x 68m (345ft x 223ft) football pitch and will have full medical and media facilities, as well as spaces for catering or retail outlets and the GFA offices.