Fears for future of campsite prompt protest petition

FAMILIES on a campsite on the Costa del Sol fear the owner is planning to move them off and build homes or a commercial property instead.

Surveyors have been seen visiting for the last several weeks and attempts to glean information from the site manager have so far been unsuccessful.

Now the residents of motorhomes and caravans at Camping Fuengirola say they intend to start a petition to appeal for information about the future.

A number of them spoke to EWN but have asked to remain anonymous for fear of recriminations.

“There are at least 100 people who will sign the petition,” said one resident.

“If they tell us what’s going on we can plan around it, but we don’t want to be in a position where we are parking on the street. It’s frustrating and annoying.”

Another added: “Nobody’s telling us anything. If we have to move when are they going to say something and tell us what’s going on?”

One resident has been going to the site for more than 20 years.

“I can’t think of one person who wants to leave. This is a thriving business. No notice has been given to us and they won’t tell us a thing.”

The group hope to be able to get some information from Fuengirola Council and to sit in on planning meetings which may decide the future of the site.

They also claim workers at the site have been told to find other jobs by the summer.

The economic impact of moving so many residents, when there are no alternative sites within the locality with space, could affect local businesses in Fuengirola and Mijas, the group believe.

“We feel we are being treated needlessly unprofessionally by the campsite management who are giving us no information on their plans.”

Another aspect adding to the anxiety of some residents is the fate of more than 300 trees on the site, most of which are mature and help to demarcate the pitches.

“Any change of use to the land that requires cutting down the trees, which are supposed to be protected, will have a negative impact on the local environment,” said one of the residents.