Euro Weekly News - Costa de Almeria 22 - 28 September 2016 Issue 1629

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SSUENN 1555 //22 23 29 APRIL 2015 - 28-September 2016 IISSUE OO . .1629

COSTA DE ALMERÍA

YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION

Promises turning turtle

WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

What do you do? A QUICK-WITTED coach driver saved the day as a kamikaze car driver almost took out her vehicle and its 55 occupants as they made their way towards Malaga from Almeria. See page 2

Fall from grace THE recession which hit Spain in 2008, when the real estate bubble burst, was particularly tough in Almeria, provincial data from the National Statistics Institute (INE) has revealed. See page 7

Trial underway A JURY has the daunting task this week of determining the truth behind the case of the so-called ‘dinghy of death’

which saw a number of African migrants disappear at sea during a storm in December 2014. See page 10

Legalise it By Matt Ford Controversy surrounding construction of the high speed AVE train line past Cuevas de Almanzora shows no sign of abating, with residents up in arms over the location chosen for an endangered species reserve. Up to 270 families, most in the hamlet of Los Lobos, expect to be told on Monday their land will be forcibly taken. Village spokesman Serafin Garcia said his neighbour “doesn’t know if they will steal an orange grove or his house.” EWN has been following the story since 2011, when it was

announced a protected area would be created for the population of spur-thighed tortoise. Initial space outlined was vetoed after complaints from 131 farmers who would have to cede land currently cultivating citrus fruits, olives and lettuce. In 2015, a second proposal revealed the situation for the local community was far worse. The boundaries of the reserve had indeed been moved, but the new space occupies an area including farmland and family homes, farmhouses, and commercial greenhouses. Protests led politicians to promise an alternative but a

year on nothing’s been done. Residents are expecting letters confirming forced expropriation of land to be delivered by September 26. Last week, officials from rail administrators ADIF appeared at the site, placing stakes around the boundaries of the future reserve further infuriating

residents, particularly those of Los Lobos. Homeowners don’t know how much of their land will be taken. Mr Garcia added ruefully: “We have no problem with the tortoises or the AVE, just the measures that will leave us without a future.”

OWNERS of 10 illegal homes in Albox are celebrating as the council has signed documents which will make them the first in Andalucia to have their situation legalised following modifications to the LOUA planning law approved recently by the regional government. See page 53

Only seven years ALMERIA Provincial Council has approved a project to complete the Olula del Rio health centre after construction on which ground to a halt in 2009. See page 58


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