In a covert operation supported by the Algarve’s environmental agency, headed by ‘Demolition Man’ Sebastião Teixeira, the foundations for a beach restaurant have been sunk metres deep in an area close to the sea at Praia do Peneco, Albufeira.
This site is not earmarked for a restaurant in the existing Burgau-Vilamoura coastal development plan. It is mentioned in the proposed Odeceixe-Vilamoura plan but this is still being discussed and has yet to be approved.
Environmental association, Almargem, has issued a statement outlining its deep concern and demanding the work stops immediately and a full explanation given as to how the local council and the environment agency have allowed this project to commence when not covered by existing legislation.
Almargem says it is not against the provision of tourist infrastructure but rightly notes that there is much discussion about the risks to Portugal’s coastal zone, “largely due to climate change,” and notes that the new building and infrastructure is in an area that is likely to be affected by the incoming sea and near to where the Esplanada Raposo restaurant was destroyed by a storm in 2001.
Almargem, “requires the immediate cessation and reversal of the works in question and a much greater transparency and public scrutiny on the part of the bodies responsible for the management and defence of the environment and natural resources.”
This last comment is perhaps the most important, this building is being erected without the knowledge, until now, of some of those responsible for the multiple layers of regulation that dominate even the simplest of construction projects that citizens and State bodies must follow.
It seems the council and the Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente are acting in collaboration without having to explain how this project has been legally authorised as the Odeceixe-Vilamoura plan is not approved.
This is hardly 'open government' but not unexpected when short-cuts have been taken and deals have been done.
Picture above ©Jorge Magalhães on FB
