Views: 29
The two known cases of illegal swimming pools in Menorca’s agritourism establishments share a common link: the same environmental consultancy. Now, the Consell Insular has entrusted this firm with drafting the environmental section of the revision of the Island Territorial Plan (PTI). GOB Menorca considers this a major credibility crisis.
Promising water savings while increasing consumption
Menorca is an island with limited groundwater resources. In fact, some tourist developments in various municipalities have been put on hold due to a lack of potable water. This is why agritourism projects in rural areas must demonstrate water availability before being approved.
One approach to obtaining approval is to minimize groundwater extraction by maximizing the use of rainwater or treated wastewater. This can be the deciding factor in whether a project receives a positive or negative environmental assessment.
The properties of Torrevella and Sant Llorenç, located in the municipality of Alaior, were developed by different companies. However, both projects initially proposed water-saving ponds and reservoirs—only for these to turn out to be undeclared swimming pools.
The Consell Insular entrusts the Territorial Plan revision to the same firm
Although Torrevella and Sant Llorenç are distinct properties with different developers, they share a key element: the same consultancy handled the environmental aspect of both projects. The firm in question, Abril, is led by engineer Antoni Roca.
Diario.es has revealed that the Consell Insular de Menorca has hired this firm to draft the environmental section of the PTI revision. This revision has already sparked controversy, as it includes proposals such as legalizing large luxury villas built in rural areas without permits and expanding vacation rentals into the countryside.
The PTI is a cornerstone in the protection of Menorca, the most well-preserved island of the Balearic archipelago. As a Biosphere Reserve, Menorca has increasingly attracted the interest of investors.
It is no secret that weakening the island’s environmental protections would be a gift to those seeking quick profits at the expense of the land.
A blow to a key conservation tool
The Territorial Plan has been instrumental in preventing Menorca from following the path of overdevelopment seen elsewhere in the Balearics. When approved in 2003, it eliminated 60,000 planned tourist beds and prohibited new residential developments in rural areas. In 2005, it received the National Urban Planning Award.
Those who care about Menorca’s future are deeply concerned about the revision of this territorial framework, which has been announced by the current island government. However, the fact that such a critical project has been entrusted to a company with a track record like Abril’s further discredits the process.
It is worth remembering that both Torrevella and Sant Llorenç have been subjected to disciplinary proceedings by the Island’s Urban Planning Enforcement Consortium following complaints filed by GOB Menorca.
In both cases, the environmental assessments were carried out by Abril, which also acted as the environmental auditor—meaning it was responsible for ensuring that environmental commitments were upheld.