The plans for Fort St Elmo incorporate a number of areas which will be able to generate revenue, in spite of the fact that much of the area will remain open to the public, sources close to the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation have said.

The plans were drawn up by a joint venture between local firm Forward Architects and British company Land Design Studio, which beat 12 other bids for the contract. The tender for the works will be issued soon with 2014 as a completion date.

“The €15.3 million project is 85 per cent ERDF-funded. Otherwise it would never have been economically feasible to restore the extensive area, and to set up a museum which will be truly interactive,” the sources said.

The large square will be surrounded by outlets to ensure that the fort becomes a destination in its own right, attracting visitors to the lower end of Valletta. From there visitors will be able to travel chronologically from the Bronze Age to the present, with the current War Museum being relocated and expanded.

“The sequence will enable visitors to understand the different parts that have been added through the years,” the sources said.

The Carafa Enceinte will be turned into a public heritage trail, but visitors will also be enticed to pay to see wartime memorabilia like the Gladiator plane, military trucks and so on.

The Pinto Stores – best known as the set for Midnight Express – do not form part of the museum. They will be offered to the private sector.

“This area was part of the development brief and could generate a lot of interest as it could have many uses. It depends what the Government decides,” the sources said.