It is remarkable to hear the GSD speak about electoral promises, given that this is the same Party that once dismissed manifestos as mere “wish lists” and has a track record of failing to deliver on its commitments.

The designs approved by the Development and Planning Commission do not include a marina arm across the whole of Catalan Bay beach, as confirmed by the placement of a vessel on site at the DPC’s request. By contrast, the plans proposed by the GSD administration included a significantly longer marina arm and a far more intrusive development. Their plans even envisaged the use of the marina arm for the berthing of cruise ships at Catalan Bay, a measure that would have caused serious environmental harm. The GSD also fails to recognise the wider benefits of the Eastside project and the real value of replacing an unsightly rubble mountain with a modern, sustainable, and landscaped green development.

Equally surprising, and illustrative of Mr Origo’s lack of perspective, is the claim that the reclamation projects carried out by the GSLP Government 35 years ago were “devastating.” Those reclamations created the land on which much of modern Gibraltar is built today. Without them, Gibraltar’s economic and social development would have been severely stifled. Anyone who works in the Europort area, visits its restaurants and shops, or uses its offices can attest to the benefits that those projects brought. Is the GSD now suggesting that it would not have carried out the Europort reclamation, or that it would oppose the Westside reclamation which is providing much-needed housing?

Far from being “devastating,” those reclamations were carried out within harbour waters that were already environmentally degraded. The construction of new revetments has since enhanced coastal biodiversity, attracting marine life, waterbirds such as cormorants, herons and egrets, and even otters, which have benefitted from the new habitats created.

Mr Origo’s comments about the delay in removing rubble mountain are equally misleading. The reality is that the delay has been the direct result of this Government’s insistence that the Eastside project is subject to rigorous environmental assessment and that every stage is brought properly before the DPC. Under the GSD, such projects would not even have been subjected to Planning scrutiny.

It is also concerning that the GSD’s narrative is now being repeated by Spanish detractors of the project, who are using their arguments to criticise Gibraltar. In doing so, the GSD is playing directly into the hands of those who oppose Gibraltar’s progress.

The Opposition’s position is one of short-term, populist negativity, which would leave the rubble mountain in place for decades to come. By contrast, with strict environmental monitoring and careful planning, the Eastside project will deliver new life and new opportunities for Gibraltar, just as the Europort reclamation did in its time.