Fortress HQ included in new MoD lands deal

Fortress Headquarters in Rosia Bay will be handed to the Gibraltar Government under the terms of a lands agreement signed with the Ministry of Defence yesterday.

Under Lands Agreement 2015 the MoD will transfer two areas of land that have become surplus to defence requirements and at no cost to the Gibraltar Government.

The areas in question are a block of warehousing within the HM Naval Base and Fortress Headquarters, once one of the most sensitive military sites in Gibraltar.

The agreement was signed by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and Commander british Forces, Commodore Ian McGhie.

The parameters of the new agreement are based on a meeting between the Chief Minister and Michael Fallon, the UK Secretary of State for Defence, in late 2014.

Extensive work has since been undertaken by both the Government of Gibraltar and Ministry of Defence officials over the past 12 months, with the final details of the sgreement only being completed last month.

“The transfer of the surplus warehousing at the Naval Base and the future transfer of the Rosia facility will provide great opportunities for further economic development for Gibraltar,” Mr Picardo said.

“This is a very good deal for our community and I am very happy that working through the holiday season we have finalised the agreement, which is now signed and effective.” Commodore McGhie added: “The agreement represents a good outcome for both Gibraltar and the Ministry of Defence.