Rosia Bay will stay open to the public

Rosia Bay will remain open to the public. Any suggestion that it is being privatised misunderstands the Government's plans.

HM Government of Gibraltar is in discussions with a preferred entity to refurbish and restore the site. This is what successive administrations have been doing since the 1990s. Public access will be guaranteed, and there will be no residential element.

The talks follow a call for expressions of interest issued in January. It sought proposals to restore Rosia Bay as a public beach and leisure area, with bathing platforms, seating, shade and a café. It also sought a new use for the former AHQ Building, preferably a boutique hotel with a centre celebrating the military and maritime history of Rosia.

The bay will remain a public space. Discussions are in any case ongoing. Any scheme will need the consent of the landlord, planning approval and, where relevant, a heritage licence. There is a triple lock of three separate consents in place.

The Deputy Chief Minister, the Hon. Dr Joseph Garcia CMG MP, said:

"Rosia Bay is part of Gibraltar's story. HMS Victory was towed there after Trafalgar. Today divers, anglers and families love it. This is about restoring the bay, improving it and opening it up to more people, not closing it off."

The Government will set out further details in the event that discussions were to conclude successfully.