By Catherine McGeer • Published: 29 Aug 2024 • 12:12 • 2 minutes read
Golf Course Faces Environmental Challenges Image: Shutterstock/ Diegoacruz
THE Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition is pushing back against a new housing development plan called ‘El Escobar,’ which includes a golf course in the Murcia region. The Office for the Technical Management of the Mar Menor (OTMM) has raised several concerns about the project’s potential negative effects on the Mar Menor lagoon and flood prevention efforts.
The ‘El Escobar’ plan covers 500 hectares and includes 2,900 homes in nine phases. OTMM fears that this development might harm the lagoon‘s watershed and interfere with flood control projects. They note that past disorganised land use has already damaged the environment.
The golf course could also increase the risk of flooding in nearby towns like Torre Pacheco and Los Alcázares because it involves sealing more land. Additionally, it might strain local water resources and worsen environmental problems.
The Ministry suggests delaying the project until a new Territorial Planning Plan for the watershed is approved. This plan will help ensure that environmental impacts are properly evaluated and managed before moving forward.
As discussions continue, local authorities and environmental groups are expected to engage in a series of consultations to address these concerns. The Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition has emphasised the importance of balancing development with ecological preservation to ensure sustainable growth in the region. Meanwhile, developers of ‘El Escobar’ have expressed their willingness to work with environmental experts to mitigate potential impacts and explore alternative solutions.
The outcome of these discussions will likely influence the future of the Mar Menor lagoon and surrounding areas, reflecting broader challenges in integrating large-scale developments with environmental responsibility. The delay proposed by the Ministry aims to provide a thorough assessment of the potential impacts and ensure that the development aligns with both regional planning goals and environmental protection standards.
For now, the focus remains on revising the Territorial Planning Plan and addressing the concerns raised by the OTMM. Stakeholders from various sectors are poised to contribute to a revised approach that could reshape the ‘El Escobar’ project in a way that aligns with both community and environmental priorities.
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I am an Irish writer who has been living in Spain for the past twenty years. My writing centers around the Costa Cálida. As a mother I also write about family life on the coast of Spain and every now and then I try to break down the world of Spanish politics!
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