© seemallorca.com
Environment ministry seeks to redraw boundaries in Playa de Muro
A decision by the national government's coastal division to reclaim two million square metres of coastal land in Playa de Muro, Mallorca has brought protests from local businesses and residents. A demonstration against the 'land grab' was held at the end of last week, and its organisers have said that they will fight to protect land that they see as rightly theirs.
The original boundaries were agreed in 1988, after which many hotels and businesses were established. The new boundaries will mean that properties on the reclaimed land cannot be sold, and any further developments are unlikely to gain approval. A 'thirty-year rule' would come into force, meaning that the land and the existing buildings would revert to public ownership after this time.
The coastal department is responsible for the nation's coastline, and it ensures that the environment is protected from unauthorised building and development, and that public access is maintained. All land that is 'influenced by the sea' is regarded as being under the remit of the coastal department and can legally be demarcated by the government.
The area around Playa de Muro is particularly sensitive as it consists of a narrow strip of land between the sea on one side, and the Albufera nature park on the the other. This makes it impossible for hotels and residents to relocate. Playa de Muro has been purpose built as a resort over the last 40 years, and is one of Majorca's most popular tourist areas. It is home to large and powerful hotel chains such as Iberostar and Grupotel.
