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CostaBlancaPeople 7th - 13th November 2023
7TH - 13TH NOVEMBER 2023 - EDITION 1017
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Your Essential Weekly Read
Controversial housing development proposal sparks outcry The Friends of Sierra Escalona (ASE) association has vehemently criticised the plans for a large-scale housing development comprising 954 homes in Orihuela Costa. Orihuela Council recently unveiled the proposals for a
159,000 square meter urbanization project in Mil Palmeras, initiating a 45-day period for public display and consultation. Situated on the northern border of the Dehesa de Campoamor urbanization
and the southern border of Pilar de la Horadada, the proposed development, labelled as sector ‘B1b Mil Palmeras,’ has taken into account conditions set forth by the Environmental Assessment Commission two years prior. Miguel Angel Pavon, President of ASE, expressed staunch opposition to any approval of the plans, deeming it a “complete nonsense” to further develop an already densely populated coastline. Pavon underscored the importance of preserving the natural beauty of the area, which is currently under threat. ASE is preparing to present an alternative proposal to Orihuela Council, advocating for the reclassification of the disputed sector as an ‘ecological corridor’ connecting the protected Sierra Escalona area to the sea. This reclassification would serve as a vital conservation effort, safeguarding the region’s diverse flora and fauna,
including the endangered Cathead Jarilla. In addition to the contentious
housing development, the proposed plans outline the creation of a preserved green space spanning over 32,000 square meters, dedicated to the preservation of local wildlife and plant species. This conservation effort aligns with the broader mission of protecting the area’s natural resources. Furthermore, the development proposal encompasses the establishment of new primary and secondary schools, catering to the projected influx of approximately 2,385 additional residents. This move underscores the need for comprehensive infrastructure to support the growing population within the region. As the public display and consultation period commences, the fate of the Mil Palmeras urbanization project hangs in the balance, with stakeholders on both sides of the debate poised to make their voices heard. The contentious nature of this issue reflects the broader struggle to balance development with conservation in this ecologically significant region.