Government: Sunborn Reclamation Will Not Proceed (Gibraltar)

The Government has considered the views put to it by the Development and Planning Commission in relation to the proposed reclamation in Marina Bay which was originally proposed as a car park for the Sunborn Hotel project.

Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia and Environment Minister Dr John Cortes have met separately also with the ESG and some residents of the area of Tradewinds.

The Government has, as a result, decided that the originally proposed reclamation will not go ahead. Instead, Government will support that there should be a much smaller, narrow reclaimed area to allow for controlled vehicular access to the hotel.

Instead of the reclamation there will be water and lighting features and fountains incorporated as part of the project to beautify and oxygenate the water in the area in front of Tradewinds.

A narrow pedestrian walkway will link the existing Marina Bay pier to Leisure Island. This will also be an additional attractive feature.

Commenting on the matter, the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia, who is the Minister with responsibility for planning said: “The Chief Minister and ministerial colleagues have listened to the views of the DPC in relation to this project as well as to the concerns of the ESG and the ideas of residents on how to beautify the area. This aspect of the project is therefore now being redesigned in order to take into account the views that have been expressed to the Government. We are as always listening to what people have to say and making improvements to projects as a result; which is the way proper consultation should work.”

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Press Release, June 14, 2013