Eleven investors have submitted bids for the development of the White Rocks complex, which is meant to be turned into an upmarket real estate development.

The next step will be for the government to form a committee that will evaluate the proposals. The committee will then draw up a report making its recommendations.

On June 20, the government had made an international call for expressions of interest for the design, construction and operation of the complex.

The development could include upmarket homes, luxury hotels not below five star category, luxury units or a high quality lifestyle community village.

The total area of the concession is 449,885 square metres of which 135,660 square metres are occupied by the White Rocks complex ruins.

Originally, 17 investors had collected the documents. They had until September 30 to request clarifications, which the Privatisation Unit had to make by October 15.

Economy and Investment Minister Chris Cardona said he was very satisfied with the outcome. The White Rocks area was originally developed as quarters for the British services. When the British left, the area was turned into a tourist complex but it eventually closed down and was allowed to fall into ruins. The site had been earmarked for several projects, which never materialised. The latest was in June 2010, when the Gonzi administration announced that a UK firm planned to turn it into an upscale €200 million sports village. The project never took off.

Shortly after Labour took power last year, Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi declared in May 2013 that the proposed sports village project was not feasible and contacts with the would-be developers had ceased.

Then, in November, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said a sports village would be built elsewhere and a fresh call for the development of the site would be made.