did they make you renounce your UK citizenship on the govuk's website? the consulate is saying that's what we will be required to do ...

No, but I believe the system has changed since we applied, I have been told that present applicants have to sit an exam, and pay a fee, we had none of that. Mind you this is El Hierro and I often wonder if we are in fact part of Spain.
Off topic, today is La Bajada, Boss Lady set off at 2.30 a.m. to catch a bus and walk the lot 27km, I can't, my ankles are in need of renewing.