Environmentalists
have won a decade-long battle to halt construction of a mega-hotel in one of
Spain's largest coastal protected areas. However, the conflict between tourism
and conservation is far from over.
Deutsche Welle, 24 February 2016
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| El Algarrobico has been for a decade one of the most controversial buildings in Spain |
It was a
clear win for environmentalists when Spain's highest court ruled the
construction of a mega-hotel 'illegal'.
Just 14
meters away from El Algarrobico, a pristine beach of Cabo de Gata in southern
Spain, the hotel - with its 21 floors and 411 bedrooms - stands vacant.
Its
construction in the province of Almeria was dubbed one of Spain's biggest
environmental scandals.
The Spanish
Supreme Court recently declared the area environmentally protected and has
banned construction. Environmentalists have hailed the decision a great
success. But, the victory may have come a bit late.
A decade of
confusion
"The
countdown for the demolition of the Algarrobico's hotel has finally
started," said Andalusian environment minister José Fiscal.
His
triumphant announcement comes after years of backtracking and legal ambiguity
with many locals holding the regional government responsible for the whole
fiasco.
It all
began in the 1980s, when construction of the hotel was first licensed. Then,
the coastal area was not protected. But by the time construction began in 2003,
that had changed and building was prohibited.
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| The hotel is located in a protected area within the natural park, Cabo de Gata |
It wasn’t
until 2006 that a local court first ordered an immediate halt to building. But
the national environment ministry and the regional government of Andalusia
failed to react to the ruling.
Then in
2012, the high court of Andalusia declared the hotel illegal and called for its
demolition. But two years later, the court reversed its decision. The hotel was
legal and building free to restart.
Now, 10
years after works were halted, Spain's Supreme Court has finally given the
green light for its demolition.
The price
of the victory
Tearing
down the huge edifice will cost an estimated 7 million euros. The national and
local government are to split the bill.
There is
also the outstanding question of compensation for the hotel’s owners – who are
demanding around 70 million euros.
Locals feel
they too have lost out financially.
While
environmental groups have long fought the hotel, it has always had majority
support in the area – mainly for economic reasons.
"Once
it was already constructed, it would have been best to make use of it,"
said Salvador Hernández, mayor of the nearby village of Carboneras.
Hernández
argues the hotel would have brought much needed jobs to the village.
"Instead, the people – through taxes – will pay for its demolition, and
the consequences," he told DW.
Hernández
believes the local community has emerged the biggest loser from a debacle that
put Carboneras on the map for all the wrong reasons.
"Our
village may be outstanding for many reasons, but our image has been destroyed
by this scandal," he lamented.
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| The natural park Cabo de Gata is the largest coastal protected area in Andalusia |
An
uncertain future
And the
construction that has loomed over Algarrobico for more than a decade will not
disappear overnight.
The
demolition is expected to produce around 60,000 cubic meters of waste, of which
at least 40,000 cubic meters must removed and dumped. The remainder is to be
used in the area’s recovery
Greenpeace
at least sees an upside to this logistical challenge.
"The
demolition work would bring around 400 new jobs," said Pilar Marcos, head
of Greenpeace Spain’s coastal campaign.
"98%
of the materials could be recycled. Moreover, it represents a new opportunity
for sustainable tourism."
What the
beach will look like once the process is over remains an open question. Whether
it will be restored to its natural state – or become the site for new tourism
services has yet to be decided.
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| Massive tourism is visible all along the Spanish coast |
Tourism
threatens conservation
According
to WWF, tourism is one of the main causes for biodiversity loss in the
Mediterranean region. Sea beds, coastal landscapes and marine dynamics are all
at risk.
Spain is one of the world’s best-loved tourist destinations. In 2014, it was ranked third
in the world for numbers of foreign tourists by the United Nations Tourism
Organization.
But threats
to environment from tourism are a problem the world over, with Mexico, China,
Ecuador, Indonesia and Nepal just a few of countries where vacationers put the
landscapes they come to enjoy at risk.
