Action for Housing calls for urban regeneration update

Action for Housing has called for an update on the urban regeneration project at Road to the Lines.

The project was announced a year ago by the Gibraltar Government, but the group says there has been no more news since it was first proposed.

The regeneration project was set to yield 100 studio flats for low cost rental and also provide commercial units.

Action for Housing said the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Joseph Garcia, had announced that the Government would be inviting proposals from developers interested in the site.

“The Minister was very upbeat and said he was confident that in the next few years the area would not only be good for people to live in, but also a tourist attraction in itself,” the Group said.

“Minister Sacramento added that this would be a win-win for housing and a win-win for urban renewal.”

“We note with much regret that a year on the regeneration programme has not got off the ground and this historic urban area of upper town continues to be in a sorry state of neglect and decay.”

“It must be remembered that most if not all of this decaying and vacant premises are government owned and have been in this state of neglect for many years.”

The Group are asking for answers and would like to know whether the project never took off because of no private developer was interested.

“If this was the case what other plans does government have, if any to embark on this much needed and long awaited regeneration programme of Road to the Lines, which would stop the urban decay and provide those much needed housing units,” Action for Housing said.