New coast law could open up old wounds

El Algarrobico, one of the worst
coastal excesses ever

MADRID A draft law is about to be approved by the Government could make it easier for developers to continue the destruction of the Spanish coastline. Ironically called the Law for Protection and Sustainable Use of the Coast (Ley de Protección y Uso Sostenible de las Costas, or Ley de Costas for short, thus confusing it with its 1988 predecessor), the few kilometers of coastline that remain unspoilt are in imminent danger of development. As we reported here, an 80-metre strip that runs parallel to the beaches and has sometimes remained pristine (or at least unbuilt) is likely to be reduced to a mere 20. This would allow large tracts of coastline to be rezoned for residential construction. According to El País, "The ammendments to the Coast Law have been introduced quietly. At present, properties built on protected areas prior to 1988 are subject to numerous rules and regulations, and their owners cannot make any changes to them. Federico Ramos, Secretary of State for the Environment, says he doesn't know how many properties will be left unprotected." The changes were debated in the Senate on April 23, and now comes up in Council, probably as soon as next Friday, for final approval.>>>

Coastal law proposals approved last week, subject to much opposition

Luxury on the beach

Chiringuitos and coastline properties get up to 75 years' reprieve · Environmentalists in heated opposition

MADRID At the press conference after last week's Friday Council of Ministers meeting, Vice-President Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría announced the approval of the draft for a reformed coastal law (Ley de Costas) that has two objectives: coastline protection and protection under law of property owners and licencees. She said that it 'solved the chiringuito problem' that 'were on unsafe legal ground'. The new law allows them concession for the next four years, plus maintenance as long as environmental protection regulations are obeyed. COMING SOON: SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION>>>

Government censors Spanish TV documentary on destruction of coastline

(Agencies / Photo of Mar Menor coastline: El País) The Ministry of the Environment has blocked the emission of a documentary for TVE (Televisión Española) that was commissioned in 2006 by the then Minister, Cristina Narbona and financed with €1,292,874 of public money (TVE is also financed with public money and no longer accepts advertising). The Government is demanding the removal of a two minute section that is extracted from news reports on corruption, but the man responsible for the documentary, Granada University Professor of Coasts Miguel Ángel Losada, has not agreed to its removal. He said, "Unfortunately, corruption is part of our history. If we hide it we are condemned to repeating it." The documentary, with excellent aerial views of the nation's coastline, consists of 13 parts, of which 12 have been okayed by the ministry. Part 12 contains the section that is being censored (see it here in Spanish, with the disputed piece marked out).>