ARCHIVED - Controversial 2,200 home development on last stretch of unspoilt Orihuela coastline gets official go-ahead
ARCHIVED ARTICLE -
Plans to build an urbanisation in Cala Mosca, Orihuela's last kilometre of virgin coastline, have been on hold for two decades
After almost two decades on the table, a controversial 2,200-home urbanisation in Cala Mosca has been given the green light by the Orihuela Government Board, despite a barrage of ongoing objections.
However, on Tuesday, the Governing Board decided that "there is no legal impediment that could paralyse this project for the construction of an urbanisation with 2,200 homes".
Cala Mosca is the last unspoilt stretch of coastline in Orihuela, and the development has been riddled with problems since it was first put on the table 20 years ago.
In 2007, the developer behind the 'D1 Alameda del Mar sector' project was ordered to halt any works due to the presence of protected flora and fauna species.
To guarantee the area's conservation, the Directorate General for the Natural Environment and Environmental Assessment imposed a series of conditions in 2018 in order to enable the build.
As such, the developer had to modify the plans to comply with "all environmental requirements and ensure full protection of the endemic species of Cala Mosca".
Among the improvements is the extension of the flora micro-reserve to protect the endemic plant known as cat's head jarilla (Helianthemum caput-felis), as well as another space to guarantee the conservation of the population of the snail tudorella mauretanica.
This meant handing over 60,000 m2 on the coastline to the administration to protect the endemic plant, and a perimeter fence must be erected to prevent access by vehicles, people or animals to this area.
The modifications also included "an environmental surveillance monitoring plan that covers the period prior to the execution of the works, their development and subsequent compliance with the environmental conservation measures, as well as the restoration of habitats and landscapes".
In July 2022, the Valencia Government issued a favourable Environmental Impact Statement, ruling the conditions regarding the effective protection of protected species had been met.
The developer then stated its intention to restart construction before the end of 2022. Four months on, the Government Board has now given its approval, although not unanimously.
The green light was given with the five Ciudadanos votes in favour. The PSOE, which has four councillors on the Local Government Board, abstained.
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