Protests could derail €30m Spanish marina project

Spain’s United Left (Izquierda Unida), Equo, and Adelante Andalucía parties have declared their opposition to a new marina with at least 500 berths that is to be developed in Motril on the Spanish Mediterranean coast.

The latest development comes shortly after the land owners of Spain’s Playa Granada voted to approve the project, valued at more than €30m (US$34m), under which a new marina is to be built as part of a major residential, retail and leisure complex.

The three parties, joined by local environmental and residents’ associations, say they oppose the support expressed by the city council of Motril to the investment. Local daily Ideal reports the activists claim the project will lead to the devastation of natural resources.

José Llorente, a member of the council representing the United Left-Equo coalition, denounced the project and said it would cause the transfer of some 90,000sq m of sea shore to private management.

The investment is to be developed on a total surface area of some 2 million sq m, according to data obtained by local radio broadcaster COPE.