CHAMIZO’S DOUBTS OVER LOS MERINOSLast week the Andalucía ombudsman, José Chamizo, was in Ronda. He has been silent for a long time over the controversial golf-hotel-residential project at Los Merinos. However his arrival in the town of the Tajo was cause for him to give his opinion on the scheme that has divided residents and politicians alike.
Chamizo said that if it is to proceed “it has to protect the environment and I do not think we have all the guarantees.” He confirmed that his department was working on the complaint lodged by Ecologistas en Acción and the Plataforma Cueveña en Defensa de Agua against the construction of two golf courses, 800 villas and three luxury hotels along with the necessary infrastructure.
These action groups of environmentalists and residents of Cuevas del Becerro worried that Los Merinos would drain the water aquifers they have relied on for centuries first took their case to Chamizo in 2007. They argued it did not comply with the environmental regulations, guarantee the supplies of water which endangered both the local agriculture and residents.
Chamizo said he had not issued any ruling as he was still waiting to receive a series of environmental reports from the regional government on the situation regarding the aquifers. Currently work on the development has been halted – not by any court ruling – but because of the economic crisis in the construction and housing markets.
At present there is a case before the Ronda court brought by Izquierda Unida. In the dock is the mayor Antonio Marín who the IU accuse of having broken town planning and environmental laws by approving Los Merinos by his own decree.
RAILWAY COULD RE-OPEN IN MARCH OR APRIL
The spokesperson for ADIF – the railway infrastructure company, Antonio López, has reported that the work to upgrade the Bobadilla to Algeciras line is progressing well. The line is currently closed because of difficult work on the tunnels between Cortes de la Frontera and San Pablo de Buceite. However López stated that the projects between Ronda and Cortes then the phase between there and San Pablo is 50 per cent completed.
Teams are operating on a 24-hour, 7 day a week basis and the work on three tunnels in the first phase is completed. Currently the lines were being renovated then levelled to ensure a more comfortable journey. Once that has been completed work would start on the two viaducts. The bad weather has not helped but as the tunnel work has been a priority (there are eleven in all) this has not been affected by the heavy rain.
The line was closed on October 26 and as of yet no firm date for its re-opening has been given but March or April is being suggested. Adif is operating a bus service to connect all the stations and to link with the Madrid service from Bobadilla. Up till the middle of January 26,000 passengers had been carried on the buses, with 16,000 of those travelling to or from Madrid.
PGOU PROGRESS
A recent extraordinary meeting of Ronda’s council approved the adaption of the local development plan (PGOU) to bring it in line with the Andalucía planning law (LOUA). The motion was passed by PSOE, the former PA councillors now sittings as non-aligned and the PP. IU councillor Rafael Ruiz and the PP’s José Herrera abstained. Next month the initial draft is up for approval.
BARRACKS PANTO
The Partido Andalucista, the former party of Ronda’s mayor and eight of his councillors, has accused him of creating a pantomime over the former La Concepción barracks being demolished for parking at the cost of 600,000 euros but still the property of the ministry of defence. The PA says it is ridiculous to spend money on a property the town hall doesn’t own.
SCHOOL PROTEST
Izquierda Unida is joining the parents’ protest over the closure of Ronda’s Giner de los Ríos school in Dehesa. Recently the IU MP for Cádiz, Ignacio García, voiced the party’s opposition to the move blaming the regional government for not making the school attractive to parents – hence the drop in numbers – adding it was ridiculous to close a school when 365 homes are being built nearby.
UP DOWN
According to Ronda’s local police statistics there has been a rise of 12 per cent in the number of recorded thefts in the municipality. In 2009 there was also a 7.7 per cent drop in road accidents with 237 reported incidents compared with 257 in 2008. The majority of crashes only involved damage to the vehicles and there was only accident fatality.
MILLION BUDGET
Málaga provincial authority is to invest nearly one million euros in 21 projects in the Serranía de Ronda. The money will be divided between Cortes de la Frontera, Benalauría, Jubrique, Algatocín, Arriate, Genalgaucil, Júzcar, Montejaque and Gaucín. Over 200,000 euros of the total goes to Cortes for the construction of a new theatre, creation of a forest walk and works to various streets.
MARCH TRIAL
Málaga’s court has set a date in March for the long awaited trial of nine people implicated in police corruption in relation to taking money and sexual favours from brothels. In the dock will be four Ronda National Police officers including the former chief and a Guardia Civil. The prosecutor is seeking a jail term of 39 years for the five police officials.
MINISTER’S VISIT
The regional government’s minister for tourism, commerce and sport, Luciano Alonso, visited Ronda on Saturday and announced work would start soon on its second acclimatised indoor swimming pool at the new sports complex. In addition 1.4 million euros is being allocated to stands, changing rooms and exterior fencing. Also a visitors’ centre is to be created in the former jail below the Tajo bridge.
INDIAN FEAST
Just in case there is any confusion Al Lago Restaurant will be holding its Indian Feasts this weekend. Just click on the Al Lago restaurant or hotel links on the right side of this page for more information - and for their full standard menu.
