Views: 276
Coastal hotels approaching obsolescence have a new planning amnesty. Deadlines are being extended allowing the continued use of disposable plastic. Controls are being loosened for building works on rural land. The Balearic Government is frustrating its commitment to sustainability by means of a decree/law for urgent measures that is reversing its direction. Continue reading The directive for urgent measures issued by the Balearic Government causes frustration
Views: 294
Menorca is living in a boom period for countryside tourist accommodation, with many initiatives for agrotourism and rural hotels. Not all the projects are similar, as some have all the appearances of being short-term speculation for estate agents and others help in moving tourism from the coast inland. Continue reading Allegations made against a rural hotel with more than 100 tourist places
Views: 633
GOB considers that the two towers that rise up on the front line of the Son Bou beach did not comply with any of the building conditions of the licence that was given. If the building is not legal no renovation work can be made nor can the hotel be enlarged. Continue reading Son Bou: clarification of the law
Views: 234
Menorca is suffering from a series of impacts on the natural values of its environment caused by people traversing some of these fragile areas. GOB has made formal presentations to the Catalogue of the Pathways of Ciutadella emphasising the need to plan effective management of areas where breeding is recorded and that require a minimum of tranquillity. Continue reading Management of pathways is called for
Views: 212
The second judicial ruling on the aqua park at Biniancolla reaffirms that the park could not be constructed in a protected area, that it was not in the general public interest and was of only limited seasonal appeal. Continue reading The Aqua Park and a la carte urbanisation
Views: 742
We have recently seen in the Menorcan press repeated messages by investors that have started agro tourism of Santa Ponça and Torre Vella. Some messages implied that this island is an embarrassment because procedures are very long, because tourism is not well received and that some farm improvements demand too much bureaucracy. Continue reading Santa Ponça and the indignant promoters
Views: 282
One of the major problems that confronts Menorca is the shortage of water resources. This is a difficult matter to resolve because it is the Balearic Government that is responsible for its management and there have been successive cases of inaction, lack of transparency and failures to complete obligations. This is not a new problem, but it is never sorted out and in some cases becomes much worse. The latest example is from the increase in building development wanted at Torre-solí. Continue reading Letter about water to Mrs Armengol and Mr Mir
Views: 229
The Plan of the Balearic Ports has recently become available for consultation, prior to its environmental processing. GOB is asking for a review of some of its planned activities such as enabling docking points for large cruise ships in Ciutadella; the enlarging of the sports port of Addaia and the remodelling of the moorings in Fornells. Likewise, an examination of the analysis of the nautical capacity of Menorca. Continue reading The Plan of the Ports and nautical sustainability
Views: 845
Building on rural land without licence is not always worthwhile. Some resolutions of the island Consortium on urban discipline translate into demolitions and large fines. The Consortium is an organ created in Menorca by agreement of all the town councils and the Consell Insular to avoid uncontrolled building on rural land. Its creation was decided after the repeated inability, both technically and politically, by the town councils to tackle this problem, which after a while resulted in the hundreds of illegal buildings becoming very difficult to manage. Continue reading Increased building control
Views: 221
The Mava Foundation promotes a programme of work in different places in the Mediterranean for preserving those cultural practices that help in conserving nature´s values. Menorca is included with its agricultural land stewardship agreements made with GOB and in the next few days the island is hosting a meeting coordinating all the areas involved in piloting this scheme. Continue reading The Mediterranean Programme for Landscape Culture meet in Menorca
