Chief Minister announces reclamation project for affordable housing by Harbour Views Promenade

A new reclamation project to build affordable housing will be situated in front of Harbour Views Promenade, inside the harbour.

This was announced by the Chief Minister in his New Year Message, broadcast this evening on GBC Television.

Fabian Picardo also said negotiators on the EU treaty are “very, very close to a deal” – but that there’s still great technical complexity, in details that can touch on sovereignty.

In his New Year message, Fabian Picardo said in his last term as Chief Minister, he said he is determined to resolve key issues that remain - and that for many Gibraltarians, this includes housing.

RECLAMATION PROJECT

He announced that the Government had completed heads of terms with the TNG Foundation for a deal to reclaim land to build more affordable homes.

Mr Picardo said this would be "inside the harbour, in front of Harbour Views Promenade", and that he would give details when the contract is finalised.

The Chief Minister added in coming months he expects to make announcements about the new homes to be build under Government schemes there and elsewhere.

He said this will include Government rental homes.

BENEFITS

The Chief Minister said, however, that as Gibraltar gets larger, it must clearly define who is entitled to benefits such as housing, the GHA and student scholarships.

He said the Government would tighten the entitlement criteria for access to these services going forward.

EU TREATY TALKS

The Chief Minister addressed what he called "the greatest challenge we continue to face": the talks for a future EU relationship treaty.

Fabian Picardo said he is impatient as anyone for a positive resolution, and knows how urgent the need for fluidity is – but that he will never compromise on fundamentals.

He said negotiators are "very, very close to a deal", but that there is "great technical complexity". Fabian Picardo said there can be "derivatives of sovereignty in some details", and that Gibraltar therefore has to ensure its proposals protect against all details where they arise.

The Chief Minister said Gibraltar has proposed solutions that protect the security of Schengen and the integrity of the single market, as well as the Rock's own fundamental positions - and that if these were accepted, a deal would be possible tomorrow.

He said whatever happens, Gibraltar will have a very different manner of interaction with the EU in future - as a treaty would mean introducing European rules Gibraltar never previously belonged to.

He said these would include new arrangements for immigration to deliver fluidity at the frontier, new rules for the arrival of goods into Gibraltar, and a sales tax.

Fabian Picardo said Gibraltar would enter into these arrangements if they are the "safe and secure option we need to protect our people and our nation", but not otherwise.

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND VAPING/SMOKING

On other issues, Mr Picardo said people will soon be able to identify themselves for public services using ID cards on their mobiles.

But, he also warned of the dangers of digital technology for children - saying the Government would be working on how best to control the use of mobile phones in schools, and access by young children to social media.

The Government will also work to curtail young people's access to tobacco and vapes - with the Chief Minister saying the aim is to legislate on this in the first half of this year.

2025

Looking ahead to 2025, Fabian Picardo said despite he would continue to pursue the right deal, and to work for a successful Gibraltar, despite what he said was the “constant and unremitting negativity of social media” and “unconstructive opposition”.

The Chief Minister said in a hugely challenging world, Gibraltar continues to thrive - and that this is worth more than anything, and worth fighting for.